The Black Dog Bakery Cafe on State Road wants an all-alcohol license, but Tisbury selectmen are questioning whether the restaurant should even be serving beer and wine.
A public hearing on Black Dog’s application was continued to Tuesday, but representatives of the restaurant asked for another continuance because they couldn’t be at the meeting, town administrator Jay Grande said.
That didn’t stop selectmen from discussing the license and whether the restaurant is in compliance with its current license to serve beer and wine.
Chairman Larry Gomez asked for a review of what they’re doing under the current license.
“We can do a conformance review by the building inspector and chief,” Mr. Grande said.
The sticking point has been the restaurant’s business model of taking orders at the counter and then having a server bring the food and beverages to the table.
Selectmen have been adamant that any alcohol orders be taken by a server at a table, not at a counter.
The Black Dog needs to follow the town’s rules for beer and wine before they will be considered for an all-alcohol license, selectman Tristan Israel said.
“I will not be prepared with just the regular beer and wine license, just putting this out there rhetorically, without a change of procedure,” Mr. Israel said. “It’s not what we said we wanted when we passed beer and wine.”
Rob Douglas Jr., CEO of the Black Dog, said he planned to meet with Mr. Grande Wednesday to talk about the board’s concerns.
“We read the law,” Mr. Douglas said. “So show us where it says you can’t be served at a table if you order at a counter.”
Mr. Douglas said he’s hopeful he can “reach common ground” with the town.
