Braza Union To Be Framingham's First License Cancellation

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham Board of License Commissioners is set to cancel the operating license for the former Braza Union House on Monday, the first such cancellation in the board's 2-1/2 year history.

The commissioners had granted Braza a conditional license to operate in 2020, but that was before Framingham police reported a series of violations at the restaurant in November and December. The restaurant never had a license to operate in 2020, and has been closed since the end of last year.

The violations at the end of 2019, according to Framingham police, included:

• Nov. 15: A fight broke out at the restaurant with between 10 and 15 people involved
• Nov. 23: Another fight during a soccer game required nine police cars to respond. Officers also noticed an area cordoned off for bottle service. A Framingham officer was assaulted during the incident, police said.
• Dec. 13: Police responded to a report of a fight and a crowd of up to 40 people gathered on the sidewalk outside the restaurant during an 18+ party. Police found a severely intoxicated 19-year-old in the bathroom. She had to be taken to the hospital.
• Dec. 15: A man was dancing at the restaurant when another patron punched and kicked him. The victim ended up at the hospital.
• Dec. 16: During a compliance check, police said that the restaurant's owner was drinking while acting as the on-duty manager. Police also found three severely drunk people either in the parking lot or driving away from the restaurant. Police saw one of the patrons back his car into another vehicle.

Following those violations, Braza's landlord closed the restaurant over back rent, and was seeking to sell the restaurant's assets to recoup the money.

After a public hearing on Feb. 10, the Board of License Commissioners preliminarily voted to cancel Braza's license, Chair Adam Barnosky said. The commissioners are expected to vote to confirm that cancellation at the Feb. 24 meeting.

The Board of License Commissioners was established in 2018 when Framingham became a city. Braza Union House opened in May 2018.