Last week it was revealed that a Starbucks will be opening up at the much coveted spot at L and Broadway. Boy oh boy, did this cause quick a ruckus on social media. It seems there is a population of South Bostonians that believe a Starbucks will be the “end of days” for our neighborhood. Granted we aren’t necessarily thrilled about a Starbucks and would have preferred a nice restaurant but it is what it is.
A local group of concerned neighbors and small business owners became quite vocal last week and urged the City of Boston to organize a meeting about the would be coffee chain. It seems the space at 749 East Broadway is zoned for a restaurant. The City of Boston is stating that Starbucks still needs to be approved by the licensing board for a Common Victualler license. According the city’s website, “Every food service establishment in the City of Boston with capabilities for cooking, preparing and serving food is required to have a Common Victualler License.” From “someone in the know”, usually if you’ve been zoned for a restaurant, the Common Victualler license is just a formality and always granted. Well, not in Southie it isn’t. A meeting will be held Monday, May 2nd at 6:30pm at the Tynan School cafeteria to discuss it. So if you want to see a Starbucks at L and Broadway – show up. If you don’t want to see a Starbucks at L and Broadway – show up. It should be an entertaining meeting and we’ll there to live tweet it!
Backstory:
Mike Norton, Southie resident and owner the building had tried for over a year to put a restaurant in the spot but could not obtain a liquor license. A month ago, Norton went before the Boston Licensing Board to request a coveted unlimited liquor license. Norton was hoping to be teaming up with known restauranteurs Brian Poe and Gordon Wilcox of Parrish Cafe and Rattlesnake Bar and Grille fame. Unfortunately, Norton’s request for license was deferred. So therefore Grande Non-Fat Lattes all around! Starbucks hopes to open by June. Southie free-standing Starbucks Count will be 3.
Really. This is a thing?
I haven’t heard a logical reason why there are a limited number of liquor licenses available. This is a perfect example of a stupid law that encourages political corruption and stifles small businesses.
If some lifetime resident wanted to add a room to his home or put a two seat deck on the back of his house that he lives in, there would be a line of red tape a mile long and ten feet thick and our local elected “leaders” would tell him he’s on his own. But if some kid from Pennsylvania comes to town with a pocketful of Daddy’s money and wants to put a six story building that blocks that lifetime neighbor’s light, view, air, and privacy, the leaders give Daddy’s boy the red carpet. These people are disgusting rats who have turned in their own. I guess we all need to hire a bagman from one of these strategies companies so we can get a blessing to put a shed in the yard for our rubbish cans. Don’t forget to donate the max when they send you the envelope.
Old Southie is long gone. Has been since the late 90s. I admire the people who can still function there. The parking alone is reason enough to get out.