Boston Licensing Board v. Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission

The sole issue in this case is whether the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (commission) or the Boston Licensing Board (local board) has the final determination once the local board has denied an application to change the description of premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

This dispute began in July, 1985, when Charles Street Liquors, Inc., the owner of a package store at 143 Charles Street in Boston, applied to change the description of its licensed premises. The licensee wished to take over an empty storefront abutting the package store so it could have additional storage…