A request to convert a license to serve beer and wine into an all-alcohol license at Byblos Restaurant will now go to Beacon Hill.
Town Meeting last night approved, 155-8, the request of Byblos owner Maurice Daaboul to petition the state Legislature for permission to sell all alcoholic beverages at his 678 Washington St. restaurant.
State law caps the number of liquor licenses towns can have, and legislative approval is needed to alter Byblos' license because it is one of six extra beer and wine permits the town received from the state in the last decade in the effort to revitalize its downtown area.
Daaboul said his request is not aimed at creating a bar in his restaurant but, rather, to enhance the dining experience of patrons as well as to allow his 132-seat function hall within the facility to better compete for business.
"When people call to reserve the function hall, it all goes well until the end when they ask about liquor," said Daaboul. "We tell them we're only allowed to serve beer and wine and they say they'll get back to us. That is usually the last we hear from them."
Although the request was overwhelmingly supported, some Town Meeting members expressed concerns.
District 6 member Todd Gundlach wondered why the town was singling out Byblos and not trying to convert the other five beer and wine licenses in the downtown area to all-alcohol.
Member Robert Capasso agreed the request appears like preferential treatment toward one restaurant, and said he also has a problem with the premise of the request.
"I strongly object to allowing liquor to be served uptown," said Capasso, who said South Norwood residents have worked for years to eradicate it from that part of town.
Selectmen Chairman Mike Lyons is also a member of the Downtown Steering Committee that recommended the town pursue extra beer and wine licenses from the state to attract restaurants to the downtown area. He said he believes Byblos' request to convert to an all-alcohol license is unique because of its size and its function hall. Lyons doesn't believe the other licenses should be converted.
Attorney George Ruboy, who represented Byblos, said the request was also unique because Daaboul was not going to set up a traditional bar where people can come in off the street and order a drink.
"The most important thing in my mind is that this request is consistent with the intent of the Downtown Steering Committee's efforts to bring people into downtown Norwood," said Ruboy, who also added that the altered license, if approved, will be controlled by the Board of Selectmen, not Daaboul or Byblos.
Town Meeting is scheduled to continue Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at the Coakley Middle School.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
