The article discusses the challenges Boston restaurant owners face, notably the high cost and limited availability of liquor licenses, which can reach $600,000 on the private market. In September, state lawmakers passed a bill to increase the number of available licenses, prioritizing community needs. February saw the successful granting of licenses to 37 new restaurants, including Jadu, Peruvian Taste Restaurant, and Fresh Food Generation. Many restaurants are still awaiting state approval, highlighting the lengthy and complex licensing process essential for operating in Boston's competitive dining scene.
Jose Villafranca, owner of Peruvian Taste, once looked at obtaining a beer and wine license before this batch drop. But he'd heard from other restaurant folks that it could cost him $150,000.
A large concentration of the 1,000+ liquor licenses available are in Boston's wealthier neighborhoods, like Seaport and Back Bay.
When a limited, coveted license is no longer in use by one restaurant, it doesn't go back to the city, but instead enters the private market.
State lawmakers passed a bill that would give Boston additional licenses, most of them zip-code restricted, and through a process that would prioritize community needs.
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