Some restaurant owners in Vineyard Haven anticipate serving alcohol by the middle of June, after selectmen approved conversions of beer and wine licenses to all-alcohol licenses for Copper Wok and Beach Road.
“We’re excited to take on the responsibility, and look forward to continuing it in the same manner that we’ve handled it for the past six years,” J.B. Blau, owner of Copper Wok, said.
Voters approved the ballot question allowing liquor in restaurants nearly a month ago. Tisbury selectmen will hold a public hearing on June 6 at the Katharine Cornell Theater to establish liquor regulations. The two licenses were approved with the caveat that any changes in the regulations are applicable.
When selectmen approve the application, the town is required to send it to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) within 72 hours to change the category of the license to include spirits, a process estimated at one to two weeks, Mr. Blau told The Times. The ABCC then sends it back to the town for the selectmen to sign and hand to the restaurant owner within 24 hours.
Selectmen are working to ensure the process is expedited, Mr. Blau said.
He said he plans to auction off the right to have the first legally served drink at Copper Wok on his Facebook page, donating the proceeds, which he hopes will be between $500 and $1,000, to the American Legion.
