Where is Vinodivino Going to be Located in Needham?

The Hollywood Video location has sprouted an Carewell Urgent Care sign on the building. Readers asked, what about Vinodivino?

  In February, Vinodivino was one of the five liquor licenses approved by the Board of Selectmen. The specialty wine store located in Newton and Brookline applied for its third location at 922 Highland Avenue, in the former home of Hollywood Video.  Twitter user @jennlichtman asked the other day,  @NeedhamPatch what's with the 'urgent care' sign up at Hollywood video? Thirsty needhamites thought it was going 2b vino davino! The building appears to be under renovation, and has a Carewell Urgent Care sign hanging on the front. So, where is Vinodivino going? According to our records and the application: 922 Highland Avenue.  The original application for Vinodivino put the size of the retail space at 3,000 square feet. However, the application…

• Photos (1)

Five New Liquor Licenses Granted in Needham: Is That a Good or a Bad Thing?

Earlier this month, Needham's Board of Selectmen approved five new liquor stores. What do you think about that?

  Needham soon will not be in want of wine. At a Board of Selectmen meeting earlier in February, five liquor licenses were granted out of six available. There were 10 applications. Here's a list of the five winners. To some Needhamites, this is long overdue; there is pent-up demand from having to drive out-of-town to get their wine, beer and liquor. To others, liquor stores are not the kind of retail establishments Needham should be cultivating. How do you feel about five new liquor licenses being granted? Tell us in the comment section below.

• Photos (1)

Five Liquor Stores Coming Soon to Needham

Five stores approved by Board of Selectlmen--approved unanimously, one in a 3-1 decision.

  If you need a nice bottle of wine, there are five places in Needham which will soon be able to oblige.  At last night's Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board discussed all ten of the applications they received and voted on them. At a previous meeting, Selectmen vice-chair Daniel Matthews said that the Board has, "no intention of issuing all six in first round." The Board issued five of them last night.  1257 Highland Avenue, Manager Michael O'Connell "This was a good example of a well thought-out package store in this location," Selectman Maurice Handel commented. "It would support other businesses in the plaza."  The application was unanimously approved. 292 Forest Street. Manager Dave Volante The local farm stand is looking to add …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Selectmen Mulling Ten Liquor Store Applications

Selectmen expect to give out less than the six possible licenses. Hearings planned for Feb. 2.

Selectmen Mulling Ten Liquor Store Applications

Selectmen expect to give out less than the six possible licenses. Hearings planned for Feb. 2.

  Most of the ten applicants for the Needham liquor licenses will be drowning their sorrows in the next few weeks, as only a handful of the six possible licenses are expected to be issued.  The town accepted applications for the town's liquor licenses from Jan. 7 to Jan. 18, and has ten applicants (list below). With approval of the November ballot question, Needham has the ability to issue up to six licenses for the retail sale of beer, wine and liquor in town, with two additional wine and beer licenses available after 2018, for a total of eight. However, Selectmen vice-chair Daniel Matthews said, at their meeting earlier this week, that the Board has, "no intention of issuing all six in first round." Hearings for the ten businesses are …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Needham Police Announce Possible Liquor Stings, Retail Liquor Application Deadline Today

Police announce liquor license compliance checks. Today is also the last day to apply for a retail liquor license in Needham.

  Those applying for retail liquor licenses in town, as well as current license holders, should be aware of possible compliance checks from the police. A public notice issued by the Police on Jan. 14 indicates that the Needham Police Department intends to check local liquor license holders for compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) and the town's liquor regulations. This may include the use of people under 21 in stings.  This year, police may also check retail package stores' compliance, after the Needham Selectmen approved liquor regulations as voted by the Town in the November election. The deadline to apply for a Needham retail Liquor License is today.  Below is the full public notice from the Needham Police:  …

• Photos (1)

Needham Selectmen Approve Liquor Regulations

The Board of Selectmen votes unanimously to approve liquor sales regulations at last night's meeting.

  The sale of liquor in Needham has been approved, and regulations are now in place. Stores will still have to apply before they can start selling. Needham's Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday night to approve an amended version of the town's liquor sales regulations.  "This is town’s first run of this type of license." Selectman David Matthews explained, "This is the kind of thing that we may be able to review in a year." After a brief discussion, the Selectmen voted unanimously on the drafted regulations, which were posted on the Town Website last Friday (see PDF).  Explaining that the meeting was not an open hearing, Matthews added, "This is one step in a long process. We will have more public steps before we issue licenses and businesses…

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Needham Liquor License Applications Coming Soon

If regulations are finalized by mid-December, Board of Selectmen plans to accept applications for liquor licenses in January.

  Needham voted, and the local package store may soon get a bit more local. From Jan. 7 to Jan. 18, the town will accept applications for the town's liquor licenses--officials designated this window the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday. The Board hopes to finish mulling over regulations for alcohol sales licenses by Dec. 18. The window will allow interested businesses to apply, gives the public time to hear who applied, and give the Town time to notice the application hearings. As the licensing board in town the Board of Selectmen will review the applications at future meetings.  On Nov. 6, voters passed a measure to allow liquor sales in Needham. With approval of the ballot question, Needham has the ability to issue up to six licenses for …

• Photos (1)