Stoneham May Loosen Its Liquor Law Restrictions

The Stoneham Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of creating a seven-person committee to look into bar seating restrictions and the possibility of securing beer and wine licenses only for some establishments in town Tuesday night at .

The committee will consist of two restaurant owners who also are members of the Chamber of Commerce, three residents and Selectmen Robert Sweeney and John DePinto.

Sharon Iovanni, executive director of the Chamber, lauded the Selectmen for wanting to form the committee and offered to help moving forward.

A Need for Change

Steven Cicatelli, an attorney representing Redstone Shopping Center, explained to the Selectmen that current liquor regulations prevent new large-chain restaurants from opening at the Main Street complex. 

The town's current regulations allow restaurants up to 15 seats at the bar, and Cicatelli said many customers of large-chain restaurants "prefer not to sit at the table... and dine alone and feel comfortable at the bar."

"The 15-seat maximum has dissuaded large-chain restaurants from coming to redstone shopping center," continued Cicatelli.

Former Selectman and attorney Charles Houghton also spoke during the public hearing in favor of increasing bar seating.

Owner Speaks Up

Fred Puorro, owner of , said he supports new business and restaurants coming to town, but opposed increasing the 15-seat maximum at the bar. He cited the success of Burlington-based The Capital Grille, as it has less than 15 bar seats and still does very well for itself.

"I don't buy you can't do business (with more than 15 seats)," Puorro said. "If you have good food and treat people right, you'll do business."

Given the economy, Puorro also suggested Redstone Shopping Center reducing its rent to encourage more restaurants to move in.

Iovanni said she would support any type of restaurant moving into Redstone Shopping Center except for an Italian restaurant because the town already boasts several establishments.

Selectmen chairperson Paul Rotondi said he couldn't support increasing bar seating without more data, but Cicatelli said that there isn't data immediately available. He added that large-chain restaurants have walked away from signing a lease at Redstone Shopping Center on multiple occasions, but if the bar seat regulation was increased he could see a steakhouse doing well at that location but not an Italian restaurant given the number of restaurants already established in town.