Monday, April 18, 2016

Downtown Gains A New Business

 35 South Pleasant Street, heart of downtown Amherst


Londonwest, which will be selling "specialty food products, sports memorabilia, gift-ware" and house a small cafe that serves coffee, tea, and soft drinks goes before the Select Board tomorrow night for approval to serve beer and wine.

In addition to being the town's Sewer Commissioners, Select Board members are also Liquor Commissioners.  The "Wine and Malt on premises" permit costs $1,000 annually, but since there are none available they will seek an "all alcohol license" that costs $3,500.  

The location, in the heart of downtown Amherst, has been vacant since September when Art Alive died and prior to that it was 35 South Cycle, a spin class studio.

Amherst has seen in increase in empty storefronts over the past few years, so it's nice to now see one coming alive.

UPDATE:  Tuesday night.  
 The Select Board continued the Hearing to May 11th due to concerns about how the retail portion of the store would be kept separate from where the alcohol is served, training of staff, and where the alcohol would be stored.

Chair Alisa Brewer was particularly concerned and at one point chastised the rest of the Select Board for not sharing that concern.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gee, all the doomsday forecasts will have to be pushed back.

Anonymous said...

Did the metacomet café ever reopen next door to this new place? I know they were supposed to reopen on Valentine's Day.

Anonymous said...

This one will last six months. What are people thinking? Really? Does anyone know how to open a business that has any potential for success in this town?

Larry Kelley said...

The beer and wine permit will help.

Anonymous said...

The owners of metacomet café are the Eric Suher's of Amherst.

Anonymous said...

Destined for rapid failure. Another cute little hobby business based more on the owner's personal interest than on real market research of what succeeds in the downtown Amherst retail market.

Unknown said...

I was wondering where to have my sports memorabilia / small gifts / tea party needs met...

Anonymous said...

Is "Mark Warren" a pseudonym?