2026-08-06 - License Commission
Summary
Chair Anthony Vigliotti, Charran Fisher and Maritza Cruz voted 3-0 on all items; the July 23 minutes were approved. One-day licenses were approved for Casita Cultura Latina at Institute Park (October 24, 1,000 to 2,000 expected), the Breakaway Festival site at 280 Main Street, a Hot Dog Safari stop and several block parties and events, while Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Catholic Church was postponed to August 20. Common victualer licenses were approved for The Vegan Path and Gong Cha, and restaurant all-alcohol licenses for Grill and Green Kitchen (141 Highland Street) and a transfer to L&D Enterprises (5 Saugus Place). Paku Paku and the Italian American World War Veterans Post 3 items were postponed again to August 20. At the Victory Bar and Cigar status hearing, Sgt. Thomas Needham reviewed an incident and the Commission ordered a video system installed within 30 days; Creed Lounge was granted a three-month trial of a 2:00 AM closing. Vigliotti asked staff to survey license holders who stayed open until 3:00 AM. The meeting adjourned at 10:56 AM.
Summary written from the official minutes; no transcript yet.
Issues discussed: Victory Bar and Cigar (56 Shrewsbury Street), Creed Lounge Closing Time (41 Pleasant Street), Paku Paku Entertainment License (215 Chandler Street), Italian American World War Veterans Post 3 (14 Itam Court)
Official Minutes
Posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers, page numbers and boilerplate removed.
License Commission
Meeting Minutes
August 6, 2026
Attendance:
Commissioners Present:
Anthony Vigliotti, Chair
Charran Fisher, Commissioner
Maritza Cruz, Commissioner
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present:
Sgt. Thomas Needham, Worcester Police Department
Amanda Moran, Law Department
Deborah Steele, Licensing
Minutes: July 23, 2026
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve July 23, 2026, License Commission
minutes.
One Day Liquor & Entertainment Requests
1. HHS-DYO_Casita Cultura Latina, Institute Park
Request for one day liquor license
Request for one day entertainment license for dancing by patrons, dancing by
entertainers, live music, amplification system, any other audio or visual show whether
live or recorded specifically
• Saturday-October 24, 2026-10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. rain date November 1, 2026
Ana Carolina Villar, participating remotely, stated that this event will be held at Institute Park, and
they are expecting 1,000 to 2,000 people. They will hire police details for the event, and will use the
restroom facilities at the park. She stated that the alcohol area will be roped off with one egress and
exit.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day liquor and entertainment
licenses.
List of Exhibits:
Exhibit A: Application for one day liquor license received and dated July 14, 2026.
Exhibit B: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 14, 2026.
2. Summer Jam Classic, 59 Quinsigamond Avenue
Request for one day entertainment license for MC, DJ and musical artists
• Sunday-August 9, 2026-10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Anthony Barbosa, participating remotely, stated that this is for annual basketball tournament event.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day entertainment license.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 29, 2026.
3. Our Lady of Mercy Maronite Catholic Church, 341 June Street
Request for one day liquor license
Request for one day entertainment license for live music, live show, DJ’s
• Saturday-September 26, 2026-Noon-11:00 p.m.
• Sunday-September 27, 2026-11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to postpone the applications to the August 20, 2026,
License Commission meeting.
4. Christopher Besaw, 280 Main Street
Request for one day liquor license
• Friday, Saturday, August 21, 22, 2026-4:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Christopher Besaw, participating remotely, stated that this will be an additional site for the
Breakaway Festival and they will have TIPS certified bartenders and have additional security and
police for event.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day liquor licenses.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day liquor license received and dated July 27, 2026.
5. Friendly House Block Party, 36 Wall Street
Request for one day entertainment license for recorded music, DJ
• Friday-August 21, 2026-3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Jodi Briggs Pickett appeared upon behalf of the application. She requested to change time of the
event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day entertainment license with
amended hours.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 21, 2026.
6. 2026 Community of Vision Day, Green Hill Park
Request for one day entertainment license for live music
• Saturday-October 3, 2026-11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.-rain date – October 17, 2026
Harry Ducharme appeared upon behalf of the application. He stated that this is a picnic event to help
blind children, and they expect around 200 people, and a performer will be playing music.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day entertainment license.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 23, 2026.
7. Fun for a Cause Cornhole Classic, 2 Ionic Avenue
Request for one day entertainment license for amplification system
• Saturday-August 22, 2026-10:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
Star Winston, participating online, stated that this is for a cornhole event and they are hoping 100-
200 people will attend. She stated that event will take place entirely inside.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day entertainment license.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 21, 2026.
8. J.T. Ethier, 55 Millbrook Street
Request for one day liquor license
• Saturday-August 8, 2026-Noon-9:00 p.m.
J.T. Ethier, participating remotely, stated that they are looking to hold an event in the parking lot and
expect about 300-400 people over course of the day. They will have TIPS certified bartenders. The
alcohol area will have barriers, and they will have four portable toilets in addition to four indoor
toilets.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day liquor license.
List of Exhibits: Application for one day liquor license received and dated July 16, 2026.
9. Noreen Hanlon, 18 Cambridge Street
Request for one day liquor license
Request for one day entertainment license for radio, music
• Saturday-August 15, 2026 -11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Matt Hanlon appeared upon behalf of the application. He stated that he looking to have an outdoor
area as his establishment will be participating in the “Hot Dog Safari” where people travel to
different establishments by bus for hot dogs. He stated he will be using TIPS certified bartenders and
will have his own security at the event.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day liquor and entertainment
licenses.
List of Exhibits:
Exhibit A: Application for one day liquor license received and dated July 14, 2026.
Exhibit B: Application for one day entertainment license received and dated July 14, 2026.
Common Victualer Requests
10. The Vegan Path, 56 Water Street
Sunday Operating Hours*
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Monday Operating Hours*
11:30 AM - 03:30 PM
Tuesday Operating Hours*
Closed
Wednesday Operating Hours*
Closed
Thursday Operating Hours*
11:30 AM - 03:30 PM
Friday Operating Hours*
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM; 06:00 PM - 09:00PM
Saturday Operating Hours*
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM; 06:00 PM - 09:00PM
Tao Zhou appeared upon behalf of the application. She stated that she is looking to opening a Vegan
restaurant at the old Queen’s Cup on Water Street.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the common victualer license.
List of Exhibits: Application for common victualer license received and dated July 21, 2026.
11. Gong Cha Worcester Southbridge LLC, 24 Southbridge Street
Sunday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Monday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Tuesday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Wednesday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Thursday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Friday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Saturday Operating Hours*
11 am - 9 pm
Wendy Loung, participating remotely, stated that they are looking to do a change of ownership at
location.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the common victualer license.
List of Exhibits: Application for common victualer license received and dated July 23, 2026.
Alcohol/Entertainment Requests
12. Paku Paku, Inc., 215 Chandler Street
Request for entertainment license for tv, amplification system, karaoke, DJ
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to postpone the application to the August 20, 2026,
License Commission meeting.
13. Italian American World War Veterans of the US Inc. Post 3, 14 Itam Court
Request for change of manager
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to postpone the application to the August 20, 2026,
License Commission meeting.
14. Grill and Green Kitchen, Inc. 141 Highland Street
• Request for restaurant all alcohol license
The attorney for the restaurant, participated online, stated that the location is looking to add alcohol
at the site.
The Commissioners stated that they had viewed the site prior to the meeting.
The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday-11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Saturday-Sunday-11:00
a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the restaurant all alcohol license.
List of Exhibits: Application for restaurant all alcohol license received and dated July 22, 2026.
15. L&D Enterprises LLC, 5 Saugus Place,
• Request for transfer of restaurant all alcohol license from Suveroo LLC
Attorney Hong Tran along with the applicants appeared upon behalf of the application. The hours of
operation will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 5:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Closed Tuesday and that also includes the outdoor patio in the hours stated.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the one-day liquor license.
List of Exhibits: Application for restaurant all alcohol license received and dated April 28, 2026.
Status Hearings
16. Italian American World War Vets of The US, 14 Itam Court
Failure to file amendment paperwork
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to postpone the item to the August 20, 2026,
License Commission meeting.
17. Victory Bar and Cigar, LLC, 56 Shrewsbury Street
Mark Piscello, owner of the establishment, appeared upon behalf of the item. Sgt. Needham
reviewed the incident that had occurred and stated that they would like to see video cameras
installed at establishment.
Mr. Piscillo stated that he already has ordered the camera and hopes to have installed by end of
week.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 that the video system be installed within 30 days.
18. Creed Lounge, 41 Pleasant Street-Request to remove condition and be able to reopen to
2:00 a.m.
Calvin Paulino, accompanied by Katherine Cruz, represented the establishment. Mr. Paulino
indicated that there have been no incidents and that most of their clientele do not arrive until
11:00 p.m. or later. The Commissioners acknowledged that the location has a record of violations;
however, since the enforcement of the 1:00 a.m. closing time, there have been no incidents. They
recognized the business implications and expressed their willingness to consider a trial period of
three months to evaluate the feasibility of extending the closing time to 2:00 a.m. Sgt. Needham
requested that if the Commission decides to reinstate the 2:00 a.m. closing time, Mr. Paulino, as
the owner, should be present at the premises during closing to ensure compliance with all
regulations.
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to allow the establishment to stay open until 2:00
a.m. for a trial period of three months.
Communications
Email: Withdrawal of applicant from Punta Cana received July 2026-Filed
Other Business
Chair Vigliotti asked if staff would survey license holders who stayed open until 3:00 a.m. and get
feedback.
Adjournment
Upon a roll call vote the Commission voted 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:56 a.m.
Transcript
Transcript pending: YouTube captions can't be retrieved yet (see the Worcester playbook).