Board Revokes Bickford's Grille Alcohol License

Responding to the last month, the Board of License Commissioners revoked the restaurant's alcohol license on Tuesday, saying that the owner failed to promptly send required notification.

Because of financial difficulties, the company has reached an agreeement to terminate its lease, Regional Manager Linda Milley told the board, and Bickford's has been in talks to transfer its license to Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian-style chain with restaurants in Utah and Colorado. Rodizio is set to move into the .

"It wasn't profitable," Milley said. "There have been a lot of changes, both with our company and with that area."

Capri Restaurant & Wine Bar took over the building in 2009, after four years without a Bickford's, but closed within a few months. next door has recently worked to rehabilitate its image after experiencing high crime rates for several years.

But during a hearing on the lower level of Tuesday, members focused less on why the restaurant had to close and more on the lack of communication with town officials and the possiblity of another alcohol license ending up at the plaza.

The hearing on Bickford's license was scheduled after the board learned of the closing from the news media and residents, and, in member Mary McGrath's case, driving by the large empty sign on Union Street. Owner Bickford Family Restaurants, based in Brockton and now with eight locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, ultimately followed up in writing, though not in a timely enough manner, chair Joe Powers said.

"Is nine days immediately?" Powers asked Milley, referring to the time between March 16, when she said Bickford's officially closed, and March 25, when the board received a letter to that effect.

"I guess that's up to your opinion," Milley said. "Our intent was not to do anything surreptitiously with the license. Our intent was to get the information together."

Tempers flared when the subject turned to the license transfer. Milley said Bickford's may receive $50,000 for the document from Rodizio, though talks have been preliminary and the board's decision Tuesday could halt the deal. The town charges $1,500 for a wine and malt restaurant license.

Powers and Police Chief Paul Frazier urged Milley to consider local businesses that are waiting for an available license – what amounts to a considerable asset in the food industry. "The board has worked over the last three-plus years to eliminate pocket licenses," Powers said.

Discussion with Rodizio about the transfer began after Bickford's reached the termination agreement with its landlord on March 15, Milley said, adding that she was not aware of other local restaurants looking for licences.

"This is getting ridiculous," Frazier said, likening the plaza to a "freight train running through this town getting what they want."

Mayor Joseph Sullivan said after the meeting that he supports the board's decision and has decided to file state legislation by the end of the month that would provide Braintree with four to six more licenses to be used only in geographic areas home to more local businesses, such as the squares and the Landing.

"It gives us a level of oversight," Sullivan said, currently absent in private transactions between companies, in which the town lacks recognition and a financial stake.

After closing the 30-minute hearing, members first decided that Bickford's did not satisfy local regulations requiring that immediate, written notice of closure, whether permanent or temporary, be sent to the board. They then voted unanimously (with Russell Forsberg absent) to revoke the beer and wine license, despite the real possibility that the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission could overturn their decision.

For now, the license remains with Bickford's. The company has five days after receiving the board's decision by mail to file an ABCC appeal.