Portsmouth restaurant gets liquor license over neighbors’ objections

Residents worried about safety of children living near Salsa’s Burrito Grill

By Jim McGaw
Posted 5/15/18

PORTSMOUTH — Despite the objections of more than three dozens residents who live nearby, the Town Council Monday awarded a BV liquor license to Salsa’s Burrito Grill.

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Portsmouth restaurant gets liquor license over neighbors’ objections

Residents worried about safety of children living near Salsa’s Burrito Grill

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — Despite the objections of more than three dozens residents who live nearby, the Town Council Monday voted 5-2 to award a BV liquor license to Salsa’s Burrito Grill, at 108 Chase Road.

It’s the first time that a business at that location — best known as the former site of the NEP meat market — has been allowed to serve alcohol.

Gene Barone, an abutter who lives at 33 Founders Ave., started a petition that was signed by 37 residents who opposed the issuance of any type of liquor license for the establishment. Mr. Barone said he and other neighbors are worried that the business — zoned commercial but located within a residential neighborhood — could “snowball into something else,” such as a bar.

“I have nothing against Salsa’s. It’s the liquor license I have a problem with. I don’t know what it’s going to be next,” Mr. Barone said during a public hearing on the application. “There’s never been a liquor license there. I’d kind of like to keep it that way.”

Mr. Barone said he was particularly concerned about children who live and play in the area. (It was pointed out that a busload of elementary school children stops nearby between 3:45 and 4 p.m. on weekdays.)

Hector Angel, one of the co-owners of Salsa’s, said the business plans wants to offer beer and margaritas only. He assured the council and abutters that Salsa’s isn’t a bar.

“It’s very unusual for people to order more than two drinks,” said Mr. Angel, who also has a full-service restaurant in Bristol called Casa Margaritas. “They usually have a beer or a margarita. I never see people get drunk. I don’t think it will be a problem for neighbors.”

Tough location

The building was previously occupied by Samantha’s Seafood, which has since moved to Montaup Country Club. Before that, several other businesses tried to make a go of it there without luck.

Mr. Angel said allowing a liquor license would go a long way in ensuring the business’ longterm success. “It’s a tough location for some reason,” he said.

Mr. Barone, however, wasn’t convinced. “I just don’t think alcohol’s the only way they’re going to survive over there,” he said.

Mr. Barone said he was also concerned that Salsa’s may want to allow customers to drink alcohol outside. The restaurant has four or five outdoor picnic tables in addition to the seven inside.

Although Mr. Angel said he’d like to allow customers to have alcoholic beverages outside, Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin said no such request was made on the application.

When council member David Gleason suggested limiting drinks to one per customer, Mr. Gavin said he doubted that would pass legal muster. 

Noting that the property is zoned commercial, Council Vice President Kevin Aguiar said Salsa’s should at least be given the opportunity to serve alcohol. “There are other establishments in Portsmouth who have liquor licenses who are very close to neighborhoods,” he said.

Council President Keith Hamilton said since license applications come up for renewal in November, granting the license would essentially give Salsa’s a six-month “trial” period. If the police chief tells the council of any problems that come about due to the serving of liquor, “we could deny the re-approval of the liquor license,” he said.

Criteria questioned

Council member Linda Ujifusa said there are currently 16 active BV licenses in Portsmouth and that the town doesn’t seem to have any real criteria in place for reviewing applications.

“We want to help businesses succeed, but I’ve never seen 37 people sign a petition who raised concerns,” she said.

The council voted 5-2 to approve the license, with the stipulation that alcohol be served inside only and limited to 4-9:30 p.m. on weekdays, noon to 9:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Council members Elizabeth Pedro and Paul Kesson opposed the motion, although both said they had nothing against the establishment. 

“I think people should be able to decide what they want in their own neighborhoods and they clearly don’t want a liquor license,” Ms. Pedro said.

Mr. Kesson said he had a problem with extending the hours for alcohol on the weekends.

Salsa's Burrito Grill, Portsmouth Town Council

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Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.