Athol Selectboard considers increasing beer and wine licenses

ATHOL – The owners of Larry’s Variety Store appeared before the Selectboard on Tuesday, Jan. 20, to ask that the town expand the number of beer and wine licenses available to local businesses.

Located at 1503 Main St., Larry’s has served the Uptown neighborhood for over six decades.

Steffi Patel, daughter of store owner Shaelben Patel, told the board the number of available licenses should be increased “so that established local businesses like ours can have the opportunity to apply for one.

“Obtaining a beer and wine license,” she continued, “would help to support our local business growth, strengthen our ability to remain competitive, and better serve our customers while continuing to contribute to the local economy.”

Citing census data, Steffi Patel noted that Athol’s population had grown by some 361 people between 2010 and 2020, an increase of about 3.1%. Current estimates indicate the town grew even more between 2020 and 2024, from 11,945 to 12,105.

Steffi Patel said Larry’s has long operated as a responsible, community-minded business “and believe that expanding beer and wine licenses would benefit both residents and local businesses by encouraging continued investment within Athol.”

Before the board debated the request, Chair Rebecca Bialecki said, “Number one, you do a great presentation. You did the research; good job.” She then continued by stating, “I know we’ve had this conversation across this board and previous boards as well about needing to look at those numbers that we’re allowed in Athol.”

When asked about the number of beer and wine licenses, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski’s administrative assistant, Bridget Armentrout, stated the town has five such licenses available and all are taken.

Suhoski then explained that if the board wants to expand the number of licenses available, it would first need to be approved by Town Meeting. The town would then need to seek legislative approval of a home rule petition allowing for the increase.

“So for a beer and wine package store, [the increase] would need your support to get on the warrant, unless they did a citizen petition,” said Suhoski to the board. “Population is a good argument, but I imagine someone is going to ask the question, ‘What’s the need? Is it a planning priority in our community?’”

“If we do this and it’s approved, we add one license, I don’t think we can approve one license and guarantee it for them,” said board member Brian Dodge, indicating the Patels. “What would be the procedure to let them have it?”

Bialecki said the board might want to consider expanding the number of licenses by more than one.

“Do we need one or do we need four more?” she asked. “I don’t think there’s necessarily a need in our community [for that many.] But I hate to not support a long-term community supported business.”

“If this is a business that’s going to help the town of Athol, I’m all for it,” Dodge emphasized.

Suhoski said he anticipated questions from Beacon Hill regarding the proposed expansion.

“Why? Where? In what zone? So, we’re going to need an argument beyond the basics,” he said. “There has to be some structure that goes into this, if the board decides to do it.”

The board voted unanimously that Suhoski research the steps to move forward and develop potential arguments in support of a home rule petition to expand the number of beer and wine licenses in Athol, including the number of additional licenses to be sought. The town manager will report back to the board at its next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3.