Nobscot Convenience Approved to Sell Beer and Wine

Nobscot Convenience and Deli will soon be selling beer and wine to its customers along with milk, eggs, and bread.

After being rejected twice before for a wine and malt license by the Town of Framingham, Selectmen voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve the license for owner Samir Soliman.

One of the major reasons a couple of Selectmen supported the license this time was hearing from a fellow Nobscot business owner and others that “competition” was good for the neighborhood.

Attorney John Connell, who represented Soliman, said 30 percent of the convenience store will soon be devoted to beer and wine, with a focus on “craft beers.”

Soliman told Selectmen he would not be selling less products but instead re-arranging his store and creating better aisles. He said the current aisles were large enough to park a truck in them.

Selectman Cheryl Tully Stoll asked Soliman to say he would not eliminate one product or SKU.

Selectman Laurie Lee, the lone vote against the license, said she would prefer Soliman sell more grocery-type products, as that is what that neighborhood needs.

Soliman submitted 17 letters of support and a petition with 270 signatures in support of the license to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night, June 16.

But a majority of those who spoke at the public hearing were against the license for 908 Edgell Road.

Rick McKenna, who lives on Baldwin Avenue, said he conducted an online survey and of 81 residents who submitted their names and address, 51 were against the license.

Windsor Drive resident Mihaela DeSantis said she goes to the convenience store to pick up milk and eggs for her family, including her son, 4, who was in the audience last night. She said she would like the option of picking up a bottle of wine without having to cross the intersection at Edgell Road and Water Street to visit Datti’s Liquor Store.

Town Meeting member Kathy Vassar said the request has been turned down twice before and should be turned down again, especially since there is a liquor store a “stone’s throw” away from the convenience store.

“What is needed is a place that sells grocery items” said Vassar of the neighborhood.

Nobscot residents have been frustrated for years that there is no grocery store in walking distance since Star Market closed in the plaza.

CJ’s Northside Grill owner Chris Gagen said he supported the license, even though his restaurant directly across the street sells beer and wine.

“This could potentially be direct competition for me,” said Gagen, who added competition is good for Nobscot and its residents.

Gagen said the license would “brings more revenue to Nobscot.”

Selectman Jason Smith before voting for the license told Soliman he would be disappointed to learn that even one product was gone from the store, because if that happens Soliman would have “deceived” the Board.

Selectman Michael Bower said he was changing his previous vote against the license, after hearing that competition was good for the neighborhood.

Bower also said he was being practical with his vote as twice Selectmen have said no to the license and twice the state’s alcohol board have kicked the matter back to the Town, cost the town money in legal fees.

The Town should not be “thousands of dollars more in the hole in legal fees,”said Bower, before voting to support the license.

Soliman told Selectmen he had installed 16 new cameras in the store last month, and also purchased scanners to help detect fake IDs.