SWAMPSCOTT— The Swampscott Select Board voted to approve two alcohol-related license matters during a recent public hearing, including a closely watched upgrade for Richdale and an expansion of Pomona restaurant on Humphrey Street.
The board voted 3–2 to approve an amendment allowing 44 Atlantic, Inc., doing business as Richdale, to convert its existing Section 15 off-premises wine and malt beverage license to an all-alcohol license at 444 Humphrey St.
The matter had previously been discussed in December, when several related changes — including updates to management and corporate officers — were approved. The remaining question before the board was whether to grant the license upgrade.
During the hearing, Chair Katie Phelan read into the record a letter of opposition from abutters George Allen, Gregory Allen, and Sarah Spedden. The residents wrote that while they understood the financial benefits of an expanded alcohol license, they believed the current beer and wine license was sufficient for the location. They noted that a full liquor store operates nearby on Humphrey Street and argued that another all-alcohol license was unnecessary in a residential neighborhood.
After confirming the public hearing was properly reopened and the letter was entered into the record, the board turned to discussion.
Attorney Chris Drucas, representing the applicant, said the only outstanding issue was the upgrade to a full liquor license, as other proposed changes had already been approved at the December meeting.
Phelan said she had carefully reviewed the issue following what she described as a “robust conversation” at the earlier meeting. She said she looked to case law and the specific criteria under which the board could deny such an application.
“I don’t feel like any of those reasons exist here,” Phelan said, noting that Swampscott’s compact three-square-mile size means proximity between licensed establishments is common. She added that it did not make sense to withhold a license from a business owner seeking to use it appropriately.
Vice Chair Doug Thompson acknowledged that valid concerns had been raised but said he was familiar with how the store operates and expressed confidence that the owners would be sensitive to neighborhood considerations in implementing the changes.
The board then voted to approve the amendment. Two members voted in opposition. Member Mary Ellen Flecher noted that her “no” vote was based solely on the belief that adding another liquor store within a half-mile in a small community did not benefit the town, emphasizing that her decision was not a reflection on the store’s ownership.
With the majority in favor, the measure passed, clearing the way for Richdale to move forward with expanded alcohol sales.
The board also unanimously approved a request from 128 Humphrey Street Food Service, doing business as Pomona, to alter and expand its licensed premises under its existing wine and malt beverage license.
The proposal involves incorporating a former adjacent hair salon into the restaurant’s footprint, bringing the total space to approximately 2,760 square feet. Plans include a new service bar with 10 seats, two handicap-accessible restrooms, and an additional dining area with 10 tables and roughly 30 seats.
There was initial clarification during the hearing regarding whether the restaurant was seeking to upgrade to a full liquor license. Owner Oscar Guerrero confirmed that Pomona is not requesting a change in license type and will continue operating under its wine and malt beverage license, simply extending service into the newly added space.
Guerrero told the board that the changes are intended to improve guest circulation and service flow, not to increase noise or extend operating hours. He said the restaurant remains in full compliance with state and local alcohol regulations and that staff are properly trained and certified.
Board members asked about the timeline and compliance measures, including TIPS certification for bartenders. Guerrero said construction is nearly complete and that the restaurant expects to open the expanded space soon.
The board voted unanimously to approve the alteration of premises, formally allowing alcohol service to extend into the expanded area.
