Is $400 Too Much for a BYOB License?

At their meeting at Abbot Hall Wednesday night, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a motion to enact the local BYOB regulations that they've been hammering out over the last two months and paved the way for as many as five carry-in alcoholic beverage licenses in town.

The need for BYOB regulations was pushed to the forefront in September when Marblehead's new Mexican restaurant on Smith Street, Casa Corona, filed a request for permission to allow patrons to bringing along their own alcohol beverages.

Alhough they originally wanted to charge only $50 for the licenses because they understood that the business owners wouldn't be making any money off the alcohol customers brought along with them, it was at the recommendation of Town Counsel that they increase the amount to $400.

The $400 pricetag is meant to pay for the time local officers will spend policing the licenses and the efforts of town officials who will be responsible for making sure the guidelines are followed.

Another point they considered when coming up with a price is the fact that a one-day liquor license in Marblehead (for events) costs $50 - so charging a business $50 for an all-year BYOB license didn't seem appropriate.

Reader Comments from Thursday

John Buba: "This took way too long and $400 is an absurd amount of money for this right..."

ps: "There's a reason they made nips....always works for me...concerts, over-priced restaurant drinks...sporting events...just saying.."

brent munroe: "I agree 400 bucks seems a lot for a byob license.. Happy to hear they got the license though..."

Where Do You Stand?

Do you think $400 per year is an appropriate price for one of Marblehead's new carry-in alcohol licenses because having one will boost business?

Do you think the licenses should have been been cheaper considering the restaurant owners won't be making money off of beer and wine sales?

Let us know in the comments section below.