Gov. Signs Pate’s License Bill, But Reopening Date Remains Uncertain

CHATHAM – Gov. Maura Healy signed legislation last Friday creating a year-round liquor license for Pate’s Restaurant, but exactly when the popular eatery will reopen remains uncertain.

Pate’s will have to apply for the license and a hearing must be held by the select board. But because the special legislation filed by the town to create the additional year-round alcohol license specifically for Pate’s was rewritten by the legislature, it was unclear what type of license would be required.

Shanna Nealy, executive secretary to the town manager and select board, said in an email that she has asked the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to clarify whether Pate’s should apply for a new license or simply request a change in their existing license from seasonal to annual.

Co-owner James Peterson said converting the existing seasonal license to an annual one would be the simplest path.

“If that’s the case, that makes us much closer to getting people back to work,” he said, adding that it will take about two weeks to ramp up the restaurant’s operations. “We just can’t say to everybody come back to work tomorrow.”

Pate’s closed nearly three weeks ago as required by its current seasonal liquor license, which runs from April 1 to Jan. 15 with a special extension. The restaurant has long sought a year-round license, but the town’s allotment, based on the census, was all spoken for. The restaurant owners collected signatures to place a petition article on the May annual town meeting warrant to file special legislation seeking to create a new year-round license specifically for the restaurant at 1260 Main St. The measure passed 228-62. The joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure in September redrafted the bill to convert one of the town’s seasonal all-alcohol licenses to year-round, and it was that bill which passed both the House and Senate two weeks ago and was signed by the governor Friday.

Even with ABCC guidance, a public hearing will take at least two weeks and the license must then be sent to the state agency as well as the department of revenue for review and final determination, said Nealy.

Pate’s employs about 35 to 40 full- and part-time workers, and at least five days to a week will be necessary to prepare for opening, said Peterson. But the owners don’t want to take any steps yet, he said, pending issuance of the license.

“We’re at the mercy of the process,” he said.

Peterson thanked town officials, Rep. Sarah Peake and Senator Julian Cyr with helping usher the bill through the legislative process.

“I’m grateful for everyone’s support,” he said.