Liquor Superstore Approved for Hyannis Despite Opposition from Competition

CCB MEDIA PHOTO This empty building on Rt. 28 in Hyannis, across from the Barnstable Municipal Airport, will be the new home of a Kappy's Super Liquor Store

CCB MEDIA PHOTO
This empty building on Rt. 28 in Hyannis, across from the Barnstable Municipal Airport, will be the new home of a Kappy’s Super Liquor Store

HYANNIS – A plan to transfer a retail liquor store license from Cotuit to Hyannis was approved Monday by the Barnstable Licensing Authority, despite strong opposition from several competing businesses.

Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits, which operates several liquor superstores in eastern Massachusetts, plans to open a new location with the license in an empty building across from the Barnstable Municipal Airport on Route 28.

Several competing liquor store owners and operators spoke against the plan, saying the Hyannis area is already saturated with liquor stores.

“Town of Barnstable residents and small business owners have really been focused on shopping locally. How does this proposal kind of encourage shopping locally,” questioned Andrea Pendergast, owner of Cape Cod Package Store Fine Wine and Spirits in Centerville.

During Monday’s licensing authority hearing, Attorney John Kenney, who represents Kappy’s, said liquor sales where not a big part of the overall sales at Cotuit Grocery, which held the license sought in the transfer.

He also stressed that competition with existing license holders could not be a reason for denying a license.

Kappy’s already has a Cape Cod location in Falmouth.

Blanchard’s Hyannis Liquors owner Donald Corey expressed frustration that his attempt to move his store years ago was met by opposition from the town and Cape Cod Commission.

“I was referred by the town manager as a discretionary referral to the Cape Cod Commission because of traffic several years back. Traffic has only gotten worse since then. The Cape Cod Commission finally stated that I would have to put a median strip down the middle of the road,” said Corey.

But the plan was also praised by neighbors of the proposed location, who said the area is run down and in major need of re-development.

“I clearly would say that by this being allowed after six years of being empty would help reduce that loitering issue,” said Ideal Floor Covering owner Mark Woods.

Erick Woods, who works at the nearby Eastern Bank said they welcome a new business next door to their location. “Hearing this plan has just really created a lot of excitement in Eastern Bank, and we would like to have Kappy’s as our neighbors. We think that would go very well with the line of traffic, the reason why people are in the area, it would very convenient,” said Woods.

Barnstable Town Councilor Paul Hebert spoke against the plan, questioning the need for another liquor store in Hyannis.

“We, as a community in Hyannis, are facing a crisis, both with the drugs, as well as with the alcohol,” said Hebert.

During deliberations, board member Martin Hoxie said they had to make a decision based on what was good for the community as a whole.

“It is quite clear to me that an establishment such as Kappy’s would fulfill a need in the community,” he said.

The vote was 3-2 in favor, with Hoxie and Eugene Berman voting yes, and Ron Semprini voting no. Semprini said he was concerned about the saturation of liquor stores in the area.

Under the plan, Cotuit Grocery on Main St. in Cotuit will transfer its license to Kappy’s, which will occupy 14,228 sq. feet of retail floor space and include a redemption center at 333 Iyannough Road.

Building owner Stuart Bornstein said he was elated that Kappy’s would be leasing the space after several proposals for other retailers over the years had all fallen through.

“If you’ve ever been to a Kappy’s, it’s a magnificent store. If you’re a wine collector and want a choice, they do a phenomenal job,” said Bornstein.

By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director.

 

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