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.

BOSTON (WHDH) – If you’re looking for something to brighten up your night – you might want to head over to the Franklin Park Zoo for Boston Lights.

A new, immersive display is taking the classic light show to a whole new level.

“We find a lot of jaw marks on the ground because everybody’s jaws are just dropping when they go through this,” said John Lenahan, president and CEO of Zoo New England. “These are really works of art. It really is one photo op after another.”

The shining sculptures focus on four different themes. Dive in to an underwater world, marvel at bright flower blooms, and then journey through China and India.

“The reaction is really of pure joy. You look at some of these lanterns and you say, ‘How do they make that happen?’ There’s really a lot of technology behind it,” Lenahan said.

Lenahan invited 7News to wander through a mile and a half of dazzling displays.

“It takes a solid month, seven days a week, for installation,” he said. “I think we had 42 tractor trailers that came to the zoo and dropped off materials.”

There are so many lanterns to look at. It might be hard to pick a favorite.

“For me it was the shark mouth and entering the shark mouth,” one visitor said.

“Probably the bars with the fish on top,” said another.

“I really like the peacocks and how they’re constantly changing colors,” a third said.

As for the animals — they’re trading in the bright lights for a good night’s sleep.

“Our animals, for the most part, are behind the scenes at these hours, having their dinner, getting ready for bed. So you don’t see that many animals,” said Lenahan.

But you will see a lot of smiles.

“It brings together all kinds of people into an experience that is interactive and is fun for everybody,” Lenahan said.

Sweet memories… coming to light.

Boston Lights is open every night now through Nov. 3, from 5 to 10:30 p.m. You can buy tickets online or at the door.

You can find more information here.

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Bruins forward Elias Lindholm is enjoying almost everything about his time in Boston.

“It’s been good. I’ve obviously been here for a month now,” Lindholm told reporters Thursday, per team-provided video. “I think the weather has been nice. The city’s been really nice to explore and settle into our place. It’s — you know, so far, so good.”

How about the traffic?

“It’s a little different than I’m used to,” he admitted. “I’m not a huge fan, but I’ll get through it.”

Lindholm — despite the obvious drawback of driving in a city that was meant to be navigated by horse-drawn carriage — had nothing but positive things to say about getting acclimated to his new surroundings. He signed a seven-year deal in free agency, joining the Bruins to presumably fill a top-six center role that has needed upgrading since the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

The B’s need someone to play alongside David Pastrnak, after all.

“He’s one of the best players in the league,” Lindholm said of Pastrnak. “If that’s the case, it’s super exciting. We’ll see what’s going to happen. There’s a lot of good players on this team, and that’s why I wanted to come here. I think we have a good chance to do something special. And obviously you always want to win. And I feel like, right here, we have a good chance.”

The Bruins need production from their top lines, and hope Lindholm can provide that with a bounce-back season in Black and Gold.

Lindholm accounted for just 44 points in 2023-24, but has attributed some of his downtick in production to a midseason trade that left him in limbo entering the offseason. He’s going to be in Boston for a while, though, so as long as he can learn to live with the traffic, he should find comfort in playing with some of the most talented players in the world.