Marblehead board OKs liquor license for new restaurant

MARBLEHEAD – In 1964, Clint Eastwood played The Man with No Name. In 1971 the rock band America sang about The Horse with No Name. And last week, after a seven-minute hearing, Marblehead selectmen transferred an all-alcoholic beverage license to a Restaurant with No Name.Board members felt they had good reason to transfer the liquor license – Richard P. Rockett, manager of the new establishment at 165 Pleasant St., purchased the license in bankruptcy court in late December, bringing it back to the town.The former license holder was a restaurant called Zaika, owned by Kulwant Jhikka of Jhikka Inc. Jhikka filed for bankruptcy last July and listed the town liquor license issued to that restaurant as one of the business’ assets.Although Zaika was closed for months before the filing, selectmen allowed Jhikka to hold the license because he was trying to sell the property. While Marblehead remained the legal owner of the license it could not be used until someone purchased it and requested a transfer."Thank you for getting the liquor license back where it belongs," said Selectman Harry Christensen. The votes to transfer the license to Rockett and grant him a common victualler’s license were unanimous.Rockett told the board his new restaurant would seat 176, with 16 seats at the bar. His next step is to seek the approval of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.Selectman William Woodfin suggested a name: "Johnny Rockett’s."Rockett said he’d think about it.