Voters in Wenham tonight should approve the request by the Wenham Village Improvement Society to allow the serving of alcoholic beverages at its historic teahouse.
Currently shuttered, the teahouse, which was founded in 1912, is both an architectural landmark and a staple of the town's tiny business community. Yet in recent years, operators have discovered that in order to survive financially, the restaurant had to expand its hours and offer the mixed drinks a dinnertime crowd demands.
The debate is no longer over whether Wenham should remain "dry," it having lost that status in 2006 when the teahouse was first allowed to serve liquor. That license has since lapsed, however, and the town must once again petition the Legislature to grant the business permission to offer alcoholic drinks with its meals.
The Wenham Village Improvement Society, which is in negotiations to bring in a new operator for the teahouse, is an important contributor to the community. And a visit to the teahouse has been a tradition for many generations of Wenham families.
This should be an easy vote when residents gather tonight at 6 at Buker Elementary School.
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