Capitol Theatre One Step Closer to Selling Beer, Wine

Arlington's  could soon become a spot to grab a beer along with a movie. On Wednesday, Town Meeting members passed an article allowing the Board of Selectmen to ask voters  whether theaters with seating capacity of more than 100 should be allowed to sell wine and malt beverages.

Owner Richard Fraiman, who also owns , said selling beer and wine has been an attractive feature of his theater in Somerville. There, Fraiman has offered alcoholic beverages since 2007. The business owner said he's served about half a million customers—though not all ordered alcoholic beverages—, and he's yet to have an alcohol-related incident.

"We find ourselves in a position where we’re constantly trying to keep Capitol an attractive entertainment destination," Fraiman said.

That's one of the reasons why he's searching for alternative ways to please patrons, he added, and serving beer and wine has proved to be an attractive feature in Somerville.

Board of Selectmen Chair Clarissa Rowe said theatre employees would receive training on how to card patrons. Fraiman added all patrons would be carded, even those who appear to be older than 21.

Some Town Meeting members said they were concerned about the possiblity of underage drinking in the theater. Others in opposition said the business should be kept as a family spot, thus serving no alcohol.

But several other members said Arlington should encourage independently-owned local businesses to strive for alternative and improved services.

"I don’t think theaters should be made guilty for the misdeeds of alcohol by people who are not old enough to drink alcohol," said Kenneth Marquis, Precinct 9. "That kind of stuff happens anyway."

The measure is now up to the Board of Selectmen, which has to file Home Rule Legislation with the General Court to allow for the placement of the question on the ballot for the 2012 elections town elections. 

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