NEWNC Denies New Beer and Wine License

-By Phil Orlandella

A request for a new beer and wine license with possible cordials for Cafe Lil Italy was soundly defeated by the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) at a public meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center.

The Council, by a 6-1 vote, denied the request by Carla Gomes for the 178 Salem Street Cafe located across from the Old North Church based on a new license, no need show for this type of license and some abutters testifying that a liquor license would add more noise in the area and patrons using their property as a toilet.

The proposal for the Cafe which has 19 chairs and 6 tables hours of 7am to 11pm would not change. It would be the same cafe service and menu with a beer and wine license.

Peter McGinnis did not show to explain his request to change the legal occupancy at 27 Sheafe Street from four to five units. McGinnis will appear at a future NEWNC meeting.

Doug Bowen Flynn, a North End resident and parent, discussed the neighborhood demand for public education, how the downtown area is woefully under-served, how not getting into the Eliot School adversely affects residents, the neighborhood initiatives and potential solutions.

The main theme is the Eliot School needs more space. Several ideas were discussed.

One of the possible solutions was to work with North Bennet Street School which is attempting to work a trade of buildings for the Old City of Boston Printing Plan and try to make arrangements to work with the City to help move the Eliot School into NBSS.

North End residents have secured a 1,000 signatures supporting expanding the school and are planning a major phone bank to City Hall in order to obtain support for the Eliot School.