WENHAM — Three businesses have expressed interest in Wenham's one liquor license.
Selectmen are considering Grassy Roots, Nazir's Fine Jewelry and Gifts, and a Richdale store for a single package store license that restricts sales of alcohol to a 100-square-foot section of the business.
The license previously belonged to the Wenham Tea House; it lapsed when the restaurant's tenant decided not to renew her lease in December.
Selectmen briefly discussed the available liquor license last night but did not say how soon they might make a decision. The three interested businesses recently submitted "letters of interest" to the Board of Selectmen, detailing how they would use the license.
Grassy Roots cafe is at 152 Main St., Nazir's is nearby at 135 Main St., and the Richdale convenience store is at 143 Topsfield Road, at the intersection of Route 97 and Cherry and Maple Streets.
"All three applicants are very different in what they want to do," said Molly Martins, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen. "It's difficult looking at three very different requests and interests."
Once the selectmen "express a preference" for one of the candidates, the official application process can begin, where abutters are notified and public meetings are held before a license is awarded, Town Administrator Jeff Chelgren said.
Last night, an attorney for the Richdale store told selectmen that his client had already submitted an official application for the liquor license, in addition to a letter of interest, to which the board has 10 days to respond, by law.
Wenham's liquor license was tailored for the Wenham Tea House in a 2010 home rule petition that changed it from a pouring license to a package store license.
Emma Roberts, who ran the teahouse at the time, sought to sell unopened bottles of wine with takeout food.
The 100-square-foot restriction was included because "at the time, the town didn't really want a Kappy's (liquor store)," Chelgren said.
Selectman Patrick Wilson said of the three candidates, Grassy Roots is most similar to the concept the Wenham Tea House had — a "catering situation" with a small cooler for alcohol.
Grassy Roots, a juice bar and cafe, carries a selection of take-home foods.
Last week, residents at a Special Town Meeting voted to support the creation of a home rule petition to seek an all-alcohol pouring license for the Wenham Tea House.
Martins and Wilson encouraged any of the businesses that aren't selected for the package store license this winter to do the same and seek a home rule petition to create an additional license in town.
"The Board of Selectmen is being asked to pick the winners and losers in the commercial universe of the town," Wilson said of assigning the one liquor license. "From my perspective, I'd like to see all three of these (businesses) get licenses."
Staff writer Bethany Bray can be reached at bbray@salemnews.com and on Twitter @SalemNewsBB.
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