SWAMPSCOTT — The town’s request for eight additional all-liquor licenses was approved by the state Senate this week.
The increase is meant to provide additional business opportunities in the town’s commercial districts, such as Humphrey Street, Vinnin Square and the train station neighborhood, where restaurants would like to offer liquor, town officials said.
“I’m totally thrilled,” said Naomi Dreeben, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen. “This means we can bring more wonderful restaurants and establishments into town and that means benefits for our residents both in terms of fine dining as well as increased commercial properties. It’s a win-win.”
The town’s 14 licenses have been issued. Full liquor licenses, which include alcohol, mixed drinks, beer, wine and cordials, are distributed by the state based on the town’s population of about 14,000 residents. The town issued its last all-liquor license last spring.
Last May, Town Meeting members authorized the Board of Selectmen to ask the Legislature for legislation to allow the board to issue eight additional all-liquor licenses.
Dreeben said the Board of Selectmen plans to put out a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit ideas from entrepreneurs to see who might be interested in applying for those licenses.
She said anyone considering opening an establishment on the North Shore could see that the town has more liquor licenses and submit a proposal. Dreeben said applicants would need to propose a restaurant or bar and then the town would consider it.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved the measure to grant additional liquor licenses, a joint petition by state Sen. and Lynn Mayor-elect Thomas McGee and state Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead).
“I was happy to work with the town and Rep. Ehrlich to move this bill through the legislative process before the end of the year,” McGee said in a statement. “Additional licenses are critical to economic development and supporting new businesses that want to come to Swampscott.”
The bill must be signed by Gov. Charlie Baker.
Ehrlich said she was grateful for McGee’s swift action on the liquor licenses and that she would miss his partnership in the legislature.
“I’m thrilled for the town,” Ehrlich said. “This is an important piece of legislation in terms of economic development and it’s something that the town’s leadership is firmly behind. Many of the scant liquor licenses in town are held by clubs so it leaves few available for local businesses. Having more available will allow for new restaurants and new food and drink establishments to open up and thrive on our main streets.”
Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said the liquor licenses will go a long way toward supporting some of the goals the town has in its Master Plan, which includes revitalizing the town’s commercial districts.
“These liquor licenses can be a really important tool to spur economic development,” he said.
