After grilling Whole Foods representatives for about an hour Thursday night, the Board of Selectmen voted to allow the grocery chain to sell wine and beer when it opens a store in Legacy Place next fall.
The board voted 4-1 to grant the store a wine and malt beverages package license, provided that it gives up one of the other three licenses it holds within Massachusetts as required by state law.
Selectman Carmen DelloIacono voted against the license, suggesting that the company misled the board when it asked the town four years ago to file special legislation to obtain a pouring license.
Whole Foods wanted the pouring license to be able to serve alcohol in the store. However, it learned about a year ago when it hired law firm McDermott, Quilty and Miller that state law does not allow a vendor to operate both a pouring license and a retail alcohol license at the same facility, said the company's attorney Karen Simao.
Simao apologized for the miscommunication and said the store would be happy to give up the pouring license.
"My feeling is the need is met without Whole Foods having a package license," said DelloIacono, noting Vineyard Liquor and other package stores that are within 3,500 feet of Legacy Place.
Helping customers pair wine and beer with food is essential to the 6,500 square-foot Dedham Whole Foods, which will be New England's flagship store, said Jeff Turnas, regional president.
"We can build the best store we've built and that will include beer and wine," he told selectmen.
Lindsey Parietti can be reached at lindsey.parietti@cnc.com.
