Two new businesses were awarded package store licenses from the Select Board Monday night.
Arlington Center Fine Wines, which will open at 5 Medford St., and Ruby Wine and Spirits, at 1340-1342 Mass. Ave., received unanimous approval from the Select Board.
Three applicants had been vying for the two new licenses, but one of them – Peter Pan Superette owner Nilesh Patel – withdrew his application after the Select Board discussed concerns that state law prohibits anyone from holding more than one license in the same town. Patel also owns BB Liquors on Mass. Avenue, though he had said his son would own and operate Peter Pan if it had received one of the licenses.
The Select Board voted without discussion.
In March, the town’s voters approved a ballot question to allow two new package store licenses in Arlington, raising the total to eight. The licenses permit businesses to sell sealed alcoholic beverages — such as beer, wine and spirits — for customers to consume off premises. The Select Board held hearings Sept. 28 for the three applicants.
After the vote, Utsav Patel (unrelated to Nilesh), owner of Ruby Wine and Spirits, said he is excited to open and “provide quality products to consumers and residents.”
Pietro Giglio and Chris Lianos, the owners of Arlington Center Fine Wines, said they had felt confident going into the vote and are excited to get started on their business. “Now it’s the real work,” Giglio said. “[We’re] very excited for the results.”