We’re not looking to become a bar.”

Josh Whalen, owner of Grafik Coffee Co.

PORTSMOUTH — Grafik Coffee is brewing up an expansion of its service area.

The Town Council, sitting as the Board of License Commissioners, voted unanimously Sept. 8 to grant owner Josh Whalen’s request to also serve food and alcohol on the shop’s outdoor patio at 2005 East Main Road.

The approval expands service on a 600-square-foot patio directly adjacent to the main building, with seating for about 32 patrons on the eastern side of the property.

Only one resident spoke during the public hearing.

“I would much prefer we not have outdoor drinking so close to my street,” said Kelly Lemeur of Caiger Lane, which is located behind Grafik Coffee. “One reason is because we have five little children on this street; it’s a family neighborhood.”

Lemeur compared the request to other businesses in town that already offer outdoor drinking. “We have Ragged Island (Brewery) and that place across from Teddy’s Beach (Sunset Cafe). You can drink outside at those two places. You can drink outside across the street from Sea Meadow — there’s a bed and breakfast that sometimes has parties.”

She also voiced concerns about public safety and noise. “I would imagine we’d have to have more police presence; it would cost a little more money.” Thinking about people drinking and then pulling out of East Main Road “is terrorizing,” she said.

Lemeur added that she can already hear music on weekends, “and more people walk through now.”

Whalen, who lives on Attleboro Avenue, said he understood the concerns. He told councilors he has three young children of his own and that his intent is not to turn Grafik Coffee into a bar. 

“With this expansion we’re just trying to open some opportunities for some small little events during the day, like perhaps a business meeting,” he said.

Grafik already holds a liquor license, he noted, but “we haven’t had a lot of success with it. We’re just trying to open up some new avenues to the community.”

He stressed that hours are limited. “We’re never open past 8:30 (p.m.), even now with our current liquor license,” he said. Liquor service is currently limited to Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 8:30 p.m., although he said he may want to explore adding certain other days in the future. The business also features occasional live acoustic music from 6 to 8 p.m.

Whalen described Grafik’s offerings as modest. Along with a small cocktail menu — including espresso martinis — the business serves beer, wine, and small plates such as flatbread pizza. “But we’re not looking to become a bar,” he said.

He added that he was willing to work with the town’s timeline. “This is really for next summer, not this year,” Whalen said, noting there will also be signage directing customers where alcohol is allowed.

“We really are very respectful to our community,” Whalen told neighbors. “I’m always there if you ever want to come over for a conversation.”

Council weighs in

Council President Keith Hamilton said he understood residents’ concerns but did not anticipate major issues. “It’s certainly not going to be an all-night situation like Joe’s Bar used to be, which used to be there before (Grafik),” he said.

Hamilton suggested a one-year trial, while Councilor Juan Carlos Payero moved to allow the expansion contingent upon the construction of a wall separating the patio from the residential area. The license will remain in effect through Oct. 31, 2026, after which the council will review whether to allow an extension.