Several Boston restaurants receive long-awaited liquor licenses as part of city initiative

The Boston Licensing Board awarded 21 neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses, benefiting several establishments, including Cool Shade Jamaican Restaurant and The Boston Pickle Club. Owner Andre Williams has been applying for a liquor license since opening his restaurant in 2023, citing a challenging $600,000 price tag and the stigma surrounding Dorchester as significant hurdles. He expressed gratitude to Mayor Michelle Wu for her support, emphasizing that the initiative aims to empower minority communities. The Boston Pickle Club, which also received a license, hopes to increase its event offerings and strengthen community ties. Williams believes the liquor license will allow him to expand his staff from five to 15 employees, creating more local job opportunities.

The city plans to award a total of 195 licenses across 13 neighborhoods, focusing on areas in need. According to the licensing board, these neighborhood-specific licenses cannot be resold and must be returned if the licensed establishment closes. This initiative marks a significant step toward improving business viability in underserved areas of Boston.