- Written by Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger Fred Hanson, Patriot Ledger
- Published: 10 October 2018 10 October 2018
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“The selection is vastly greater,” he said. The stores does not sell cigarettes or lottery tickets, Marinelli said, and offers “a more modern, customer-friendly experience.”
The company is also planning a 36-seat classroom to conduct tastings and education programs.
Marinelli said the license being sought has been in effect for a half-century, first in South Braintree Square and for the past 25 years in the present location. And in that time, the area has seen considerable growth. Opponents said that the store would be the size of all the town’s other liquor retailers combined and would be a threat to local small businesses. “They undercut every other store” with their pricing in an effort to eliminate the competition, said Robert Carp, a lawyer representing Highland Market on Washington Street. Brian Haney, a lawyer representing a citizens’ group No to Big Box Liquors Braintree, questioned the need for the transfer. “There is no clamoring for additional dispensaries in Braintree,” he said. Jim Foley of Common Street agreed. “I see no need for 30,000 square feet of liquor in town” he said. In response to questions from Marybeth McGrath, director of municipal licenses and inspections,
Total Wine officials said they would offer customers online ordering for in-store pickup, but had no immediate plans to offer delivery service. Town Clerk James Casey, who chairs the license board, said petitions were submitted both in opposition and support of the request. There were 372 signatures on the petition against the transfer, and 348 on the one in favor. A majority of those who signed are Braintree residents, he said.