Lowell License Commission Defers Beer and Wine Transfer Pending Crime and Distance Data

LOWELL — April 2, 2026 — Lowell License Commission continues contested Pawtuckerville beer and wine license transfer amid neighborhood opposition. The commission voted unanimously at its April 2 meeting to defer action on an application by One East Meadow Road Inc., doing business as A1 Food Mart, to transfer a wine and malt beverages package store license from Gorham Street to 1 East Meadow Road, sending the matter to its April 23 meeting after Commissioner Krieger moved to obtain 18 months of area crime statistics from the Lowell Police Department and formal distance measurements from the city assessor. Attorney Brian Occasion of Murphy Occasion Law argued the store would specialize in craft beer and specialty wines and that 12 parking spots are available on site, while Attorney Scott Bratton, appearing for nearby liquor store owner Amgad Abdemulik, cited a 74-signature resident petition, a rebuttable presumption under MGL Chapter 138 Section 16C related to proximity to St. Rita's Church and the McAvenue Elementary School, and a city traffic study showing the East Meadow and Mammoth Road intersection accounts for roughly three-quarters of all crashes in the study corridor. Lowell Police Captain Peasley confirmed the intersection is a "concerning location" for crashes but said it does not appear as a CompStat hotspot for disorder. The commission separately approved 17 other permits and licenses, including a new all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for Platino's Bar and Grill at 1717 Middlesex Street, and continued two Blue Shamrock compliance hearings to May 7.