Lynn eatery’s future clouded by loans

LYNN – The future of the Blue Moon restaurant remains clouded by the building’s recent sale and assertions that outstanding loans assumed by the previous landlord may impede transfer of the establishment’s liquor license.During a hearing Tuesday before the city License Commission, attorney Samuel Vitali said his client, Youssef Abourjaili, has purchased the property at 707 Western Ave., which houses the Blue Moon.According to Vitali, Abourjaili owns two Domino fast-food pizza restaurants in Revere and Saugus, and plans to add “high quality” pizza to the Blue Moon menu along with the full-service bar.The commissioners were about to vote on the liquor license transfer from longtime Blue Moon owners John and Lorraine Clark, doing business as Gweny Inc., to Abourjaili and his Y&Katherine Enterprises, when Lynn attorney Stephen Smith interjected with news that Clark owes his client about $60,000.Smith produced two rudimentary promissory notes for $9,500 and $50,000 that the attorney claims were issued by Lauren Messina in 1997 as personal loans related to the Blue Moon. The loans were made because Messina intended to become a business partner in the restaurant, Smith said.However, it appeared that the promissory notes do not stipulate the funds are for use operating the Blue Moon, a local landmark adjacent to Fire Department headquarters.Vitali said that financial matter is between the Clarks and the note writers, since the property already has been sold to his client.”Nobody is going to conduct business at that address without the owner’s consent,” he said.He added that Abourjaili is prepared to pay the appropriate party for the license.Besides, the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission isn’t likely to recognize the promissory notes because they are nothing more than personal pledges, Vitali said.The three-member commission voted to continue the matter until January when the Blue Moon license holder will be asked to attend.