We need to call on you once again!! You've come
through on the issue of Nautical Tours and it was defeated; you've sent
messages in support of preserving the liquor license cap in Harvard Square and
we thank you. Even as the License Commission debates the merits
of keeping the Cap, a restaurant is trying to get in under the radar by
seeking a wine and beer license when none is available.
Tonight the owners of the recently opened restaurant,
OM, on Winthrop Street are seeking a wine and beer license for 120 seats in the
second floor of the Galleria where the restaurant Penang used to be. That
is, they want to break the cap and have a license created just for them at that
location simply because they claim that there is none to purchase.
They are going to own and manage a new restaurant called Rendang in
the old Penang location. They assert that they have demonstrated their ability
to handle such an operation because of their management of OM, which has been
open less than a year.
There is no valid reason for breaking the cap on
behalf of this establishment. It will set a dangerous precedent and
encourage many other applicants to assume that they will automatically be
granted a license for free. Furthermore, there is no demonstrable need
for another licensed establishment in Harvard Square, since there are
approximately over 44 licensed operations doing business in the Square
right now. Cambridge has twice the licenses of Boston, which was rated as
the 4th drunkest city in the U.S. by Forbes Magazine. We do not
need another license in the Square.
Please send an email to Elizabeth Lint, the Executive
Officer of the License Commission at
elint@cambridgema.gov and let her know that you strongly oppose the
Rendang application.
Pebble and I will be speaking at the hearing tonight
and the Commission will consider testimony (in the form of
emails) through tomorrow (Wed, Sept. 27).
Once again, thank you in
advance for your continued help and support.
Jinny Nathans
Pebble Gifford