LONGMEADOW – At 408 Longmeadow St. sits the former location of Rinaldi’s Italian Specialties, and next summer, the space will be once again filled. This time, however, by the Paris Naples Restaurant Group, LLC., which is planning on a French restaurant and wine bar.

The Paris Naples Restaurant Group came before the Longmeadow Select Board on Sept. 17 for an application for transfer of liquor license from Rinaldi’s to their group. Jerry Plum, attorney for Paris Naples, explained that his clients are looking to build–out the space to be a “higher end” French restaurant and wine bar. The owners are planning to invest a “significant amount of money” according to Plum, and it would most likely take four to six months to build out.

Also in attendance with Plum was Nick Sylvestrie who Plum explained was the manager of record on the transferred liquor license. Sylvestrie shared that they’re looking to make the space an intimate setting, to bring back small plates and they’re hoping to get a chef from a “Paris–like” restaurant.

“We wanted to keep it small so that families, friends, most people can walk in there and sit and have a conversation with the people that they’re across from and be able to hear from them,” Sylvestrie added, “we think it’s going to be great.”

Select Board Chair Mark Gold asked the two why this was a liquor license transfer as opposed to a new license.

“Transfer is usually the same business or new ownership or a new manager, this is a new business, new owner, new manager,” he questioned. “Why is this a transfer and more importantly, why should I approve it to qualify as a transfer when I see it as a new liquor license?”

Plum responded, explaining that the application is an asset to the purchase agreement. The group purchased the assets at Rinaldi’s, and one of the assets included the liquor license.

“I believe under state law it is a transfer of the liquor license because a liquor license is location–specific not business-specific. I realize there is not a moratorium or limitation right now on liquor licenses in Longmeadow so we could have applied for a new one, but I think it also qualifies for a transfer,” Plum said.

Plum read that the existing license hours are Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Rinaldi’s was closed on Tuesdays. With that said, Plum didn’t think that would be the case for the new restaurant. Sylvestrie added that they hoped to have the liquor license hours extended to 1 a.m. if possible.

At the close of the hearing, the Select Board had a discussion amongst themselves before coming to a vote. Select Board member Thomas Lachiusa questioned if there would be a difference in parking. Town Manager Stephen Crane said that would depend on the number of seats in the restaurant, however if the plan is to have fewer seats than Rinaldi’s or the same amount there “shouldn’t be an issue.”

Vice Chair Marie Angelides questioned if other restaurants in town held liquor licenses past 12 p.m. While the members weren’t sure in the moment, Gold said that because it wasn’t on the application specifically he’d be hard pressed to vote for an extension of the hours.

“There may be neighbors who say they don’t mind 11 p.m., but they may not want it to go beyond 11 p.m.,” he explained. Gold continued, telling Plum and Sylvestrie that they could come back and petition for a later liquor license, which would give residents a chance to comment on that. Plum agreed that was fine, and Sylvestrie added that even if the hours were later, the restaurant would not be a “wild and crazy establishment.”

Sylvestrie shared with the Board that they’re planning to open in early Summer 2019 to provide for enough time for remodeling.

Gold reminded the applicants that Longmeadow takes their liquor licenses seriously and that the town conducts enforcement through unmarked police officers. He explained that there is a policy about revoking licenses for people who serve minors, and that they also require as part of the liquor license renewal any person who serves liquor needs to be trained in safe serve or TIPS.

The motion passed five to zero, approving the liquor license transfer.