Worcester License Commission again denies beer and wine license for Grove Street gas station Leave a comment

WORCESTER — For the second time, the city License Commission denied a request for a license to sell beer and wine at a Grove Street gas station and convenience store.

At the urging of commissioners, JPP Petroleum’s attorney, Paul Mourad, agreed last month to postpone the request since only two members of the board were present at the meeting and one was leaning in opposition to granting the license because the area is already adequately served.

At Thursday’s meeting, commissioners reviewed a document from Mourad which summarized proposed policies for checking identification of patrons, staff training and other items, including the proximity of other stores with liquor licenses which was concerning commissioners.

Mourad said he cited in the document an area of Worcester that has four liquor licenses in close proximity, and said the argument that the area was adequately served by liquor stores shouldn’t apply since other areas had a more dense population of liquor licenses approved.

He said only two stores are within one mile travel distance, as opposed to as the crow flies, and don’t serve the same community as JPP Petroleum would.