Dedham Hooters Opens Saturday

DEDHAM, MA — A Budweiser Clydesdale and the End Zone Militia are all part of a weekend-long event to celebrate Hooters’ newest Dedham location near Legacy Place on Route 1.

Thursday night, the selectmen approved an entertainment license and the special appearances for the controversial restaurant. The Clydesdale will appear Saturday while the militia will be in Dedham Sunday.

All approvals were pending the restaurant receiving at lease temporary certificate of occupancy and certificate of inspection. Colin Parker of Dedham Wings said he expected to have the certificates by Friday morning.

Some residents at the meeting said they were concerned about what would happen if the horse got spooked and the expected gun shots by the militia. Parker said the animals are well-behaved and they have not had any problems when the Clydesdale appeared at other openings. The gun shots from the End Zone Militia will be blanks.

The restaurant’s arrival in Dedham has been rocky at best. The selectmen initially denied a liquor license transfer from Summer Shack to Hooters but had to approve it following an ABCC appeal hearing.

“There are some people that are happy that you’re here and there are some that are not happy. The bottom line is that you’re here and you can move forward. Let’s move forward and get on the same page where we have what we need,” Selectmen Chairman Dennis Teehan said.

Hooters’ first day of operation is July 15.

Image Credit: Dan Libon