License Commission

Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.07.10 This meeting was held in City Council Chambers, second floor, City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and by Zoom invitation. Video of this meeting is available: https://www.youtube.com/live/1i0tu9c9cXg?si=-kuf9xjfqsh3aE_n ROLL CALL: On a roll call at 18:00, members present were, namely: Commission Interim-Chair Donahue, Commissioner Krieger, Commissioner Mercier, and Commissioner Taing. MINUTES: 6 Application by Elizabeth Gonzalez, for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense All Alcoholic Beverages" for the Lowell Puerto Rican Festival, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 2 & 3, 2025, from 1 to 9 PM at JFK Plaza, 50 Arcand Drive. Agenda Item 6 was taken out of order at the applicant’s request. Ms. Gonzalez spoke about the event, describing the entertainment and crowd size (~3000). Commission Chair Donahue confirmed with Ms. Gonzalez that there would be 3 Certified bartenders, security personnel, and Lowell Police detail. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. On a roll-call vote (C. Donahue – Yea, C. Krieger – Yea, C. Mercier – Yea, C. Taing – Yea) 4 yeas, APPROVED. 0 Acceptance of the meeting minutes for June 26, 2025. Commissioner Krieger made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, June 26, 2025; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 1 Application by Jennie Mercado for four "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Religious Service & Singing from 1 to 3 PM on Saturday, July 12; Saturday, July 26; Saturday, August 9; and Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Summer Street along South Common Park on the sidewalk only. Ms. Mercado and her son, who translated for her, appeared before the Commission. Commissioner Donahue confirmed the venue. Commissioner Krieger confirmed that the Lowell Police Department signed off on the events, which they did in the form of the Permit to use the space. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 2 Application by Robin Dupell, Cobblestones, for 3 "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music during the 2025 Lowell Folk Festival, to be held after 6:15 PM on July 25, 26, 27 at the dead end outside Cobblestones, 91 Dutton Street. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 1 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.07.10 Ms. Dupell did not appear before the Commission. Item has been moved to the next meeting agenda. 3 Application by Peter Huynh, 1981 Ramen Bar, for two "Special Events Permits for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music during the 2025 Lowell Folk Festival, to be held after 6:15 PM on July 25 & 27 at 129 Merrimack Street. Peter Huynh appeared before the Commission in Chambers. Mr. Huynh clarified for the Commission what entertainment he would be offering and how it fit in with the entertainment provided by Folk Fest. He also confirmed for Commission Chair Donahue that he would be considerate of the residents in the area. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. On a roll-call vote (C. Donahue – Yea, C. Krieger – Yea, C. Mercier – Yea, C. Taing – Yea) 4 yeas, APPROVED. 4 Application by Joe Carreiro, El Potro Mexican Grill, for an "Special Events Permit for Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment," for Live Music to be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 6:15 to 9 PM at 128 Merrimack Street. Joe Carreiro, license manager of El Potro, spoke about the expansion of his business, and noted that he has held this license for special events throughout the fourteen years he’s operated El Potro. He noted that, at Folk Fest, they always have the same Caribbean band and that for the last couple of years they’ve been coordinating with “Salsa in Lowell” to have an adjacent dance floor. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. On a roll-call vote (C. Donahue – Yea, C. Krieger – Yea, C. Mercier – Yea, C. Taing – Yea) 4 yeas, APPROVED. 5 Application by Nancy Torres for a "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Malt Beverages and Wines Only" for the first Caribbean Festival of Lowell, to be held Sunday, August 31, 2025, from Noon to 9PM on JFK Plaza, 50 Arcand Drive. Nancy Torres (President of the Festival) and Betsy Toro (Vice President) appeared before the Commission and spoke about their event. Ms. Toro confirmed for the board that their bartenders are trained and that they would have volunteers helping with the security. Move approval by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. On a roll-call vote (C. Donahue – Yea, C. Krieger – Yea, C. Mercier – Yea, C. Taing – Yea) 4 yeas, APPROVED. 7 Application by Amanda Étinge, for two "Special One Day License to sell/dispense Wines and Malt Beverages only." The first is for the "MBECUDA USA Fundraiser" on Saturday, July 12, City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 2 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.07.10 2025, and the second is for a Graduation Celebration for Doctor Ako on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Both events are from 7:00 PM to 1:30 AM , at the Hellenic Center, 41 Broadway Street. Amanda Étinge joined the meeting via Zoom. She discussed her two events – a fundraiser and a graduation party for a medical student. Commission Chair Donahue noted that Ms. Étinge has been before the Commission countless times over the years and has a lot of experience operating these types of events. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Taing. On a roll-call vote (C. Donahue – Yea, C. Krieger – Yea, C. Mercier – Yea, C. Taing – Yea) 4 yeas, APPROVED. 8&9 Chair requested the Commission take 8 & 9 together. 8 Application by 43 Merrimack St Inc [d/b/a] Kung Fu Tea, Andrew Oun, Corporate Officer, for Common Victualler license at 43 Merrimack Street. 9 Application by Andrew Oun, Kung Fu Tea, for a seasonal "Sidewalk Stand Permit" for July through October, 2025, for their business at 43 Merrimack Street. Andrew Oun appeared before the Commission. Mr. Oun explained that he is new to the business, and that he hoped participating in the Folk Fest would give more visibility to his store, especially with the construction going on – on both sides of his business. Move approval both 8 & 9 by Commissioner Taing; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 10 Application by Penny Hamourgas for 2 "Special One Day Licenses to sell/dispense Malt Beverages & Wines" and for 3 "Amplified Outdoor Public Entertainment" permits during the Lowell Folk Festival. Service and entertainment to be held July 25, 26, 27, 2025, at Worthen House, 141 and 152 Worthen Street, including the parking lot, approved outdoor seating, and attached alley. Parking Lot @ 152 Worthen Friday, July 25 One-Day Beer & Wine 6 PM - 1 AM Amplification 6:15 PM - Midnight Parking Lot @ 152 Worthen Saturday, July 26 One-Day Beer & Wine 4 PM - 1 AM Amplification 6:15 PM - Midnight City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 3 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.07.10 Streatery @ 141-147 Sunday, July 27 Amplification 6:15 PM - 10 PM Worthen Alley @ 141-147 Worthen Sunday, July 27 Amplification 6:15 PM - 10 PM Ms. Hamourgas appeared before the Commission. She reviewed her plans for Folk Fest and noted that for many years she has had the same setup, namely Beer & Wine, food and entertainment in her parking lot across the street from her restaurant; full service bar with food and entertainment outside adjacent to her restaurant; with no alcohol travelling across the street (servers or customers). Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 11 Application for Second Hand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II, for Gervais Auto Exchange LLC, Richard Gervais, LLC Manager, for premises at 1375 Middlesex Street, an open lot, approx. 19,000 sq. ft. with 1600 sq. ft. office and 7070 sq. ft. garage with 10 bays. Number of vehicles in lot not to exceed 20, to include 2 spaces for customers and employees. Attorney Catherine Flood spoke for the applicants. She reviewed the application and the particulars of the proposed used car dealership. Move approval by Commissioner Mercier; seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 12 Application for Second Hand Motor Vehicles – Used Car Dealer, Class II, for Revex Auto Sales Corp, Jean Felipe Da Silva, Corporate Officer, for premises at 511 Middlesex Street, an open lot approx. 4,000 sq. ft. with one story building approx. 750 sq. ft. for garage and office; Maximum number of cars is eight; no junk motor vehicles or parts thereof on the premises. Jean Da Silva, the applicant, and his translator, Angela Weston, appeared before the Commission. The Commission confirmed the location of the dealership. Commissioner Krieger noted that the proposed description of premises didn’t identify parking for employees or customers and proposed that doing so be a condition of approval of the license. Move approval on condition that one space be allocated to employee/customer use by Commissioner Krieger; seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 13 Request for a public hearing regarding an application by Paradise Biryani Pointe LLC, Krishna Velaga, proposed license manager, for a new "All Alcoholic Beverages" Restaurant License for 1689 Middlesex Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and hearing be held on July 24, 2025, at 6 PM. City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 4 of 5 Lowell License Commission | Meeting Minutes for 2025.07.10 Motion made by Commissioner Mercier to hold public hearings at the July 24, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission seconded by Commissioner Krieger. 4 yeas, APPROVED. 14 Request for a public hearing regarding an application by Bhumi Liquors Inc. [d/b/a] Pacific Liquors, for Change of Corporate Officers and Shareholders for the "All Alcoholic Beverages" Package Store License for 421 Central Street. It is requested that legal notice be published in the local newspaper, and hearing be held on July 24, 2025, at 6 PM. Motion made by Commissioner Krieger to hold public hearings at the June 12, 2025, meeting of the Lowell License Commission seconded by Commissioner Taing. 4 yeas, APPROVED. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Krieger made a motion to adjourn at 18:30, seconded by Commissioner Mercier. 4 yeas, APPROVED. Submitted by: John Pyers Executive Secretary Minutes are prepared mainly per RONR(12th ed.) 48:2. ✻ City of Lowell License Commission | 375 Merrimack St. Lowell, MA 01852 Page 5 of 5