After debate, Bay Breeze gets liquor license

Some worried about parking, alcohol service and more, but board gives 4-1 approval

By Kristen Ray
Posted 7/12/18

Kerian Fennelly set out to prove everyone wrong at the Westport Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, July 9, as he fought to obtain a Seasonal Liquor and Common Victualler’s License …

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After debate, Bay Breeze gets liquor license

Some worried about parking, alcohol service and more, but board gives 4-1 approval

Posted

Kerian Fennelly set out to prove everyone wrong at the Westport Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, July 9, as he fought to obtain a Seasonal Liquor and Common Victualler’s License for his oyster wholesale business, Bay Breeze, located at 2065 Main Road in Westport Point.

Residents and board members alike expressed their doubts about his plans to allow beer and wine to complement the limited food menu he and his wife, Kristin, hope to release as part of their tasting room business expansion plans at Lees Wharf, stirring a lengthy logistical debate that lasted most of the evening.

Though intended to simply boost revenue and allow for more choices for customers, the presence of alcohol left many —including, according to Chairman Shana Shufelt, Westport police staff — uneasy about its proper containment on the premises. 

Mr. Fennelly, who has been attending alcohol server training, believes this should be a non-issue.

“I want to protect my family, my property, my business. If I were to see somebody leaving the site with liquor, it behooves me to stop them,” he said.

To combat these concerns, Mr. Fennelly plans to utilize a metal gate at the north side of the building and to rope off the dock area, in addition to stationing staff members at all exit points. With just four full-time staff members currently working for Bay Breeze, though, some residents weren’t convinced these measures would be enough.

On top of that, several in attendance feared that the introduction of alcohol would turn the focus away from the oysters and create a bar-like atmosphere at the wharf. Again, Mr. Fennelly said not to worry — oysters are, and will continue to be, the main venture.

“I strive to create a family atmosphere where people can learn about oysters and how they are helping the river,” Mr. Fennelly said.

To resident Charles Baron, it’s fishing and farming establishments like Bay Breeze that add to the charm of the town and make it feel genuine.

“It’s our reason for wanting to live here,” he said. “Why not let them show what they can do?”

Though plenty of residents also looked favorably upon Bay Breeze’s expansion ideas, the expected increase in visitors to the area still posed another challenge to their plan. With limited parking at the wharf already an issue, many found the proposed parking plan — including eight onsite spaces, 25 offsite spaces, and street parking — to be flimsy.

“I can’t imagine 72 people on that little plot of land,” said resident Nancy Paul, who said her son’s car was hit last year from increased traffic brought in by Revolution Lobster’s presence at Lees Wharf.

There was also debate between Al Lees and Westport Landing Commission’s Jeff Bull over the rightful land ownership for the designated offsite parking zone, making the availability of those spaces unclear. Even so, Mr. Bull believed that the problem overextends Bay Breeze, and that a comprehensive parking plan needs to be addressed for the entire wharf.

As board member Brian Valcourt saw it, the concerns over parking limitations were a secondary matter.

“Lees Wharf is the last real commercial fishing wharf. To not promote a business because of parking … it’s a stretch,” he said.

Most of the board agreed, ultimately voting 4-1 in favor of granting Bay Breeze both licenses with the understanding that discussions regarding parking would continue.

“As with any place, there will be people against you,” Mr. Fennelly said. “But we hope we can win those people over.”

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