Winthrop Officials Set to Ban BYOB!!

The Town of Winthrop's Rules & Regulations and Economic Development Committees held a joint meeting last week to discuss BYOB (or "brown bagging") in Winthrop. Certain members of those committees were set to put forth a vote to ban BYOB in Winthrop, in light of the recent vote to lower the seating requirement for restaurants wishing to obtain a liquor license. With input from audience members, as well as members of the Town's Licensing Commission, the two committees decided to table the vote. A meeting is set for this coming MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH at 7:00PM at the Harvey Room in Town Hall, to discuss the issue further.

I am writing to ask for your support to keep BYOB legal in Winthrop. Please come to the meeting Monday to show your support for this important issue for the community. If you are unable to attend, please email the Town Council and the Town Manager at the email addresses below.

BYOB has been a tradition in Winthrop for decades. Until recently, smaller restaurants could not obtain a liquor license. BYOB has made it possible for small restaurants to run their businesses while allowing their customers to bring a bottle of wine with them. The vote in November to lower the seating requirement had NOTHING to do with BYOB and the intention was never to replace one with the other. It was only to give smaller restaurants – those currently operating, and future restaurants – the option of applying for a liquor license.

Please know that BYOB is NOT ILLEGAL in Massachusetts. While there are certain rules for operating a BYOB establishment, it is perfectly legal in our state to do so, and the state has left it up to the towns to decide. The Winthrop police chief has publicly stated that his department has no problem with BYOB restaurants and they have no record of ANY PROBLEMS (i.e., underage drinking, disorderly conduct, etc.) coming from these establishments!

While the town voted to lower the seating requirement last month, one popular BYOB restaurant in town (Rossetti's) still falls short of the 25 seats now required. A vote to ban BYOB will essentially put this restaurant out of business and would negatively affect our business community and our town. One of our businesses, Moonstruck Gourmet & Café, while not reliant on BYOB, does allow customers to bring wine to our jazz dinners and special events on late nights. These jazz events have always been part of our vision for Moonstruck as they offer a different kind of entertainment for Winthrop.

The business community is one of Winthrop’s greatest assets. Our diverse group of restaurants, shops, and service businesses not only give us all great choices of where to spend our hard earned money, the businesses enthusiastically support town events, school programs, and local charities. Winthrop business owners – even those that don't live in town – are loyal to this community and support the town every chance they get. Please give your support and help to save this long-time tradition in Winthrop.

Thank you!
Cindy Levins and Maggie Morris

towncouncil@town.winthrop.ma.us

jmckenna@town.winthrop.ma.us