By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — A Lynn entrepreneur is wary about opening a business in town after the Board of Selectmen denied him a liquor license.
Frank Perry attempted to purchase the license issued to Sully C’s Bar & Grill to open a pizzeria, but the board voted 4-1 to deny the transfer Wednesday night, citing Perry’s lack of managerial experience.
“I am very disappointed. Truly,” said Elaine Byrne, owner of Sully C’s. “It’s a crock of crap, this place. It has been since day one.”
When the panel denied the transfer, Byrne proposed becoming manager of the restaurant to offer Perry her expertise.
Chairwoman Debra Panetta questioned whether he could open a pizza place that does not serve alcohol.
“Victor’s was very successful without a liquor license,” she said. “My concern is that having an alcohol license is a huge responsibility.”
Perry argued that the license would bring in more revenue for his business. He has received Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS) certification, set a date for ServSafe training, and passed all necessary background checks. He provided board members with a business plan, and, per their request, a sample menu.
“I’m willing to take all the steps to make this work,” Perry said. “I work very hard. I’m not scared of the work.”
Selectman Jeff Cicolini said a pizza shop with a liquor license is less risky than allowing someone to open a bar with a “saloon” atmosphere.
“I am a bit torn because I also feel like there is something to having an entrepreneurial spirit,” Cicolini said. “At some point it has to be a first for somebody. You’re not automatically a liquor license owner.
“Not everybody in this town who owns a liquor license was already a manager of an establishment. (Perry is) very passionate about his business plan. It’s hard for me to vote it down based on the fact that he’s never had a liquor license before.”
Perry proposed the new restaurant, Sebastiana’s Pizzeria, to be located in the building Victor’s Italian Cuisine currently occupies at 1539 Broadway. Victor’s is moving to 1639 Broadway, where Maddy’s Lounge and Grill used to be.
Sully C’s became a battleground between Byrne and property owner Evos Properties LLC and Evos’ manager Suleyman Celimli. Each side contested for more than a year who was responsible for repairing damage caused by a fire.
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Town inspectors declared the 168 Broadway building, which housed Sully C’s and Boston Market, uninhabitable. Town fire officials anticipated both businesses would be closed for just a few weeks and the damage was estimated to be about $100,000.
Board members voted to revoke the license in July, rather than let it continue to sit unused. But they agreed to give Byrne a chance to sell it.
“I did find somebody to buy my liquor license,” Byrne said. “This nice fellow might not have a lot of experience — like I didn’t — but most places do have liquor. In my opinion, (Perry is) worthy of having the opportunity to expand and have a business of his own.”
Town Manager Scott Crabtree said no action could be taken because Byrne was not on the agenda. A new application with Byrne’s name on it would have to be submitted for the board to consider the proposal.
“The revocation was in abeyance,” he said. “That transfer failed. With that, the right of the abeyance goes away.”
Perry said Thursday that his next step is “up in the air.” Before the decision, he said that he may reconsider doing business in Saugus should the transfer be denied.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte