A member of the Barrington Town Council served as a negotiator for two local businesses recently. 

Carl Kustell worked with the owners of Prince Ali’s Kabob and the Montessori School, helping them find common ground over the issuance of a liquor license. 

The restaurant and the private school are located next door to each other on Sowams Road, and when the owners of Prince Ali’s Kabob requested a BVL license so they could serve beer and wine to their dinner customers, the preschool’s owner voiced concerns. 

So in stepped Mr. Kustell. 

The council member worked with the owners of both businesses to find a compromise. At the September council meeting, Mr. Kustell shared details of the negotiation. He said the restaurant is well liked and its owners have the support of many people in the neighborhood and around town. Mr. Kustell added that the owner of the Montessori School was concerned about alcohol being sold at the restaurant while the school was in session. 

The compromise would provide Prince Ali’s Kabob with the liquor license sought, but with a limit to only begin serving alcohol to its customers after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. (Alcohol could be served at noon on weekends and holidays.)

“The proprietors are supportive of that,” Mr. Kustell said, adding that the officials from the Montessori School still had some slight reservations.

“I think it’s optimal for addressing both points,” Mr. Kustell said. 

The private school owners said that while the school closes at 4 p.m. each day, there are music lessons and other extra curricular classes offered until 5:30 or 6 p.m. 

Council member Jacob Brier, later in the discussion, questioned why restaurant customers should have to wait until 5:30 to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with their dinner.

Why, because there’s a piano lesson next door? Mr. Brier said. 

Mr. Kustell agreed with Mr. Brier’s comments, but said he would not vote on an amendment to something that had been agreed upon by the restaurant owner and the school owner. 

The town solicitor said that restrictions to the license could be modified in the future. 

Based on the pre-arranged agreement, councilors first voted unanimously to increase the number of BVL licenses in town. Then they voted unanimously to award a license to Prince Ali’s Kabob restaurant.