WESTFIELD – The License Commission voted Monday night to approve two license to serve alcoholic beverages needed to operate businesses on Elm Street, but with conditions that the applicants submit a security plan as part of their applications.
Both of the proposed establishments will be located in at formerly licensed business sites. The Pahk at 285-287 Elm Street was formerly the location of the Fired Up bar, while Ebenezer’s, located at 110 Elm Street, will occupy the building where Paddy’s was located.
Richard Dowling said the Pahk (Park pronounced with a Boston accent) will be operated as a sports bar and will serve pre-packaged food typical of sports venues. Dowling, which has worked in both the food and alcohol service industries, said he is aware that a sports bar may attract a younger clientele because Westfield is a college town.
The commission members questioned Dowling on the measures he plans to implement to prevent underaged drinking and for security, which includes the public sidewalk outside the building. The commission members noted problems at the former Fired Up, especially on public property at closing.
Dowling said that he plans to train all staff members and to have security personnel, with communication equipment, posted at doors and outside at closing. Dowling said that he will also acquire technology, such as identification scanners, to check patron identification because many university students are from other states.
The commission voted to approve an all-alcoholic general on premises (GOP) license, but also included the condition that Dowling submit a security plan before that license is issued.
Dave Ebenezer petitioned the commission to a restaurant license that he will use to operate Ebenezer’s Bar & Grill at 110 Elm Street, the former location of Paddy’s.
Ebenezer, a Hadley police officer, said he has operated Ebenezer’s Pub in South Hadley for the past three years and will bring some of his current experienced employees to Westfield. All staff members will be TIP (Training and Intervention Procedures for Servers of alcohol) certified.
Ebenezer said that the facility will offer a menu of pub fare similar to the fare served at the South Hadley establishment and which he may later expend in Westfield. Ebenezer said that he has a zero tolerance policy to underaged serving and that he has experienced managers and staff who he can move between the two establishments.
The commission approved Ebenezer’s license, with the same condition that he also submit a security plan.
Commissioner Edward Diaz said that crowd control, in particular at closing, is a major concern of the commission, while Commission Chairman Christopher Mowatt warned both applicants “don’t become victims of your clientele” and Commissioner Alice Dawicki said the concerns expressed are because “we want to see you succeed.”
