At issue: the word ‘smoke’ in the applicant proposal/shop name
At the Select Board meeting June 26, the question of whether to grant a liquor license to City Wine, Spirits, and Smoke Shop was ultimately continued to a future meeting — but not before some moments of contentious debate.
An attorney, Andrew F. Upton, spoke on behalf of the applicant, Yashika Patel, who lives in Cambridge, describing her strong character and wealth of experience in the retail liquor industry. She already owns two other businesses in Massachusetts: City Wine, Spirits and Smoke Shop in Tewksbury and City Smoke Shop in Ware.
The package store that she now wishes to open at 234 Mass. Ave. in East Arlington, formerly the home of Rainbow Cleaners, would be a high-end wine, spirits and beer establishment.
Upton emphasized that tobacco products would not be sold at the Arlington store. It would also not sell single-serving liquor items (also known as nips), malt liquor or kegs, and he said that no posters with overt advertising would adorn the shop’s windows.
50 letters of support
Upton also reminded the board of the 50 letters of support that the applicant had received from residents and abutting businesses in the neighborhood. See the agenda’s supporting documents here >>
The tension started when board member Stephen DeCourcey expressed his concern with the word “smoke” in the proposal title. In his view, the application begged the question: If the applicant affirmatively does not intend to sell tobacco products, then why is the word “smoke” still part of the application that the board received, and why was it not appropriately amended before the meeting?
Upton acknowledged that it had yet to be changed but said that the board has the authority to approve an amended proposal on the spot.
“The change should come from the applicant, not the board,” DeCourcey replied, adding, “The state of the application should reflect what you’re asking the board to do.”
Upton responded, “The only thing we’d do is white out the word ‘smoke.’ It’s style over substance.”
Letters of support, letters of opposition
There was also a question about the letters of support, as all had the exact same wording. Upton explained that a letter of support was drafted, and then he asked residents and businesses on the block whether they liked what they read and, if so, he asked them to sign the letter.
DeCourcey mentioned that the board meanwhile had received very different letters — letters of opposition — because of the apparent smoke-shop aspect.
DeCourcey called for a motion to continue, that is to say postpone, the matter to a later date. But, before a vote could be taken, Upton asked for a brief recess to speak with Town Counsel Douglas Heim.
Less than 10 minutes later, Upton returned, said how fortunate it was to be heard, thanked Heim — and agreed that the best course of action would be to come back at a future date.
“Having an accurate plan is important to us, even if it’s a small change,” said Board Vice Chair John Hurd.
The motion to continue was then approved unanimously.
Watch the June 26 meeting on ACMi:
June 26, 2023: Read all documents related to this agenda item
This news summary by YourArlington freelance writer Tony Moschetto was published Saturday, July 1, 2023.
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