Boston, MA

Buy you a drink? Boston may score 225 liquor licenses – The Boston Globe

Published

1 week ago

September 6, 2024

Buy you a drink? Boston may score 225 liquor licenses – The Boston Globe

Massachusetts is on the verge of enacting a landmark overhaul of its liquor laws, which will significantly reshape Boston’s cultural and economic landscape. The legislation, which introduces 225 additional liquor licenses in the city, goes beyond a mere regulatory update — it is a powerful advancement in equity, with substantial implications for social justice, economic opportunity, and cultural enrichment.

Spearheaded by Senator Liz Miranda of Roxbury and Representative Christopher Worrell of Dorchester, the bill would expand access to liquor licenses and stimulate growth in Boston’s dynamic hospitality sector. It would create a limited number of new, nontransferable liquor licenses for specific ZIP codes in Boston. This legislation would increase opportunities for business owners and aspiring restaurateurs to contribute to the economic and cultural vitality of neighborhoods that have historically faced disinvestment and gentrification.

Without these new licenses, often the only path to obtaining a liquor license is to purchase one from a current license holder, with a reported price tag of up to $600,000. For many entrepreneurs of color, this is an insurmountable hurdle to launching their hospitality ventures.

For Boston’s Black communities, this legislation is particularly significant. Historically, systemic barriers and high costs have prevented Black entrepreneurs from entering and thriving in the city’s hospitality sector. Alcohol sales are twice as profitable as food sales, and 80 percent of restaurant concepts are not profitable without alcohol sales. However, according to the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, less than 2 percent of Boston liquor licenses are held by operators who identify as Black — even though 22 percent of Boston residents are Black.

The anticipated increase in Black-owned restaurants and bars promises to enrich Boston’s cultural fabric, notably in Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury. This influx of new businesses is expected to create job opportunities within the community, driving economic growth and fostering a renewed sense of ownership and pride. Moreover, the potential for increased investment in Black neighborhoods could catalyze broader economic revitalization and enhance social cohesion.

The bill would also contribute to the creation of “third spaces” — vital community hubs where people can gather, connect, affirm, and sustain their cultural heritage. By enabling more diverse ownership of hospitality venues, the new licenses would support the cultivation of these vibrant social and cultural gathering points, particularly in neighborhoods, like Nubian Square, that are undergoing development but lacking destinations for community connection.

Boston’s cultural landscape is set to benefit considerably from this paradigm shift. These new licenses would help nurture vibrant community ecosystems where creativity and innovation can thrive. A more varied array of liquor licenses would lead to a dynamic hospitality scene that reflects the city’s diverse population. New establishments will bring fresh perspectives, excitement, and creative energy to Boston’s neighborhoods, enhancing the city’s reputation as a cultural hub.

The reform also addresses the pressing issue of retention and attraction of talent in the city and across Massachusetts by supporting the growth of Black-owned businesses and generating new job opportunities. Small, diverse businesses are more likely to contribute to the local economy by hiring workers in the neighborhood. This promotes both economic development and strengthens Boston’s competitive edge in an evolving job market.

We applaud the Legislature for coming to an agreement and look forward to the bill being sent to and signed by Governor Maura Healey. This overdue reform will reflect the city’s diverse and dynamic communities.

Nicole Obi is president and CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts. Imari Paris Jeffries is president and CEO of Embrace Boston.

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Boston, MA

High school cross-country preview

Published

3 hours ago

September 15, 2024

Press Room

Boston College High finished third at the Division 1 All-State Cross-Country meet last season, but the Eagles could be primed for a run to the top as they return three of the better harriers around in Greg McGrath, Shamus Larnard and John Wilson.

Defending champion Brookline will be in the mix as usual with Altamo Aschkenasy and Lysander Duffield back. Patrick Noonan leads a talented group in Lexington, while Jack Graffeo is back for Westford Academy and will be one of the top runners to watch in any event he competes in. Reading could be a sleeper as Chris Barbato and Tim Connolly will be among the top runners in Div. 1C.

Other runners to watch in Div. 1 include Alex Friedman (Newton South), Paulino Guevara Mateo (Cambridge), Jared Rife (Belmont) and Ethan Sholk (Lincoln-Sudbury).

In Div. 2, Danvers will be one of the top teams in the state as William Conklin, Jonathan Rooney and Charlie Garlin are back. Ludlow has a pair of top runners in Joseph Keroack and Logan Walsh back. Marblehead will lean on Nate Assa and Will Cerrutti, while Caleb Barnes returns for Melrose.

Others to watch in Div. 2 include Luke Chisum and Will Jackson (Wayland), Silas Gartner (Falmouth), Greyson Duane (Groton-Dunstable), Lowell Copps (Bishop Stang), Grant Sullivan (Dover-Sherborn), Michael Mohoric (Newburyport), Luke Zahurak (Walpole) and William Child (Ashland).

Parker Charter is clearly the team to beat in Div. 3 as they have Henry Jacobsen, Nathaniel Henshaw, Jett Johnson and Connor Stach back. Hamilton-Wenham has a solid 1-2 combo in Ben Rich and James Regan, while Ben McWaters (Bromfield) and Jack Tutun should be among the top runners in the division.

Seamus Tully and Ethan Levesque are Greater Lowell’s top returnees, while Frontier has Evan Hedlund and Luke Howard back. Other top runners include Jackson Beauparlant (Pentucket), Everett Pacheco (Monument Mountain) and Benjamin Harwood (Lenox).

On the girls side, look for Oliver Ames to be among the best in Div. 1 once again. The Tigers feature an impressive trio in Braelyn Graham, Hannah Dupill and Iole Apostoli. Weymouth will be in the hunt as Gracie Richard and Isabella Galusha are back. Wellesley out of the Bay State Conference has Bridget Reidy and Emma Tuxbury as its top runners. Newton North returns Maggie Abely and Ciara Evans.

All-Scholastic Aoife Shovlin and Sophia Juanes Seto are Cambridge’s top runners, while Abigail Hennessey and Emily Wedlake are back for Westford Academy. Evie Lauzon and Sophia Francis are the top runners for Arlington.

Others to watch in Div. 1 are Naomi Witt (Wachusett), Emelia Smith (Attleboro), Eleanor Bullock (Barnstable), Kate Leonard (Chelmsford), Madeline Courtemanche (Central Catholic), Elyse Srodawa (Hopkinton) and Megan Moran (Westfield).

In Div. 2, hopes are high in Northampton as Maeve O’Neil is back for her senior season. Highly-touted Emily Flagg and Emma Wierenga are back for Whitinsville Christian, while Medfield counters with Chloe McCormack and Anna LaRowe. Tri-Valley League rival Holliston returns two of the top runners in Div. 2 in Maggie Kuchman and Annabelle Lynch.

Some more runners to watch for in Div. 2 include the likes of Marrietta O’Connell (Marblehead), Ila Zollo (Walpole), Lucy Connell (Longmeadow), Kay Dickson (Minnechaug), Lauren Raffetto (Canton), Lily Sallee (Wakefield), Madeline Mahoney (Nauset), Elise Casso (Falmouth Academy) and Maddie Hussey (Archbishop Williams).

Bromfield will be at the top of Div. 3 once again as they are led by Evelyn Wool and Rosie Bradley. Hamilton-Wenham will be heard from as Grace Rich, Asa Labell and Charlotte Madden return, while Olivia Pendleton and Siena Lauze are back for Dennis-Yarmouth. Other top runners back in Div. 3 are Susan Wisniewski (Pentucket), Katelyn Massey (AMSA), Amelia Desilets (Monument Mountain), Megan Bettez (Gardner),
Cameron Davis (Oxford), Annabella Lamoreaux (Sutton), Avery Murphy (Murdock), Viriginia Krezmien (Mohawk Trail), Ava Burl (Triton), Julia Parsons (Amesbury) and Isabella Duarte (Tyngsboro).

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Boston, MA

Reaction to Missouri’s Win Over Boston College

Published

11 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Press Room

Reaction to Missouri’s Win Over Boston College

The No. 6 Missouri Tigers showed in their win over No. 24 Boston College that they still have plenty of areas to improve in.

Watch the video below as Missouri football reporters Joey Van Zummeren and Michael Stamps give their instant thoughts from the press box after Missouri’s week 3 win.

The two discuss their thoughts on the offense’s slow start, the defense’s two takeaways, the role of momentum along with star performances from wide receiver Luther Burden III, running back Nate Noel, and kicker Blake Craig.

Though it wasn’t a flawless game from Missouri, head coach Eli Drinkwitz made it clear that he thought it was an important game for the Tigers to experience early in the season.

For the first time the 2024 team had to face a real challenge. Adversity as a group when things weren’t working for them.

Missouri found themselves down 14-3 early on in the second quarter. Boston College had the chance to make it a three possession game before an interception from Tre’Vez Johnson turned the game on its head.

Following Johnson’s first interception as a Missouri Tiger, the team went on a 21-0 run until the fourth quarter.

Missouri will look to move on to 4-0 when they begin SEC play next Saturday by hosting Vanderbilt.

Missouri Snap Counts Vs. Boston College, Season Tracker

Instant Takeaways from Missouri’s Strong 27-21 Win over Boston College

Everything Eli Drinkwitz, Bill O’Brien Said After Missouri’s Win Over Boston College

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