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The high cost of opening a pub in the Back Bay

Local barpreneur Patrick Declan Mehigan says he wants to re-open the shuttered Crossroad Irish Pub on Beacon Street - and would pay $300,000 to buy its liquor license from the receiver handling the bankruptcy of the previous owner.

Mehigan, who owns the Globe on Boylston Street and who is stepping down as manager of the House of Blues, told the Boston Licensing Board today that he and his partner Bobby Charlton would keep the pub pretty much as it was before it shut down earlier this year. Mehigan and his lawyer, Dennis Quilty, said no changes are planned in capacity or closing hours.

"It's a very famous pub in the neighborhood," and so has no need for changing, Quilty said.

A state law limits the number of liquor licenses the board can issue, which means prospective bar owners often have to buy a license on the open market. Prices in the Back Bay have long been the highest in the city because the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay has long opposed any increase in the area's total number of liquor-serving establishments - forcing new owners to pay extra for a license already in the neighborhood.

The board decides Thursday whether to approve the license purchase.

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Comments

This is such a huge barrier to entry which is why it seems like the only things opening up in the city are owned by "celebrity" restauranteurs who are only interested in growing their own personal brand with zero connection to the city or another Beer Garden In the Square type place, which basically appeals to the lowest common denominator with the same formulaic look and menu.

The occasional "different" place opens here and there, but follow the money trail. Most likely lead back to one of the previous categories.

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http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1783716821/Liquor-law-rules-exam...

Wouldn't the inflated values of these licenses plummet?

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Wasn't aware of that bill. It's a good idea-- never made sense to me that power transferred to the state. However, it will only drop the cost if the city puts more licenses on the market, and that's not guaranteed. And the Back Bay Neighborhood Association is demagogic, so they will likely piss & moan, even about reinstating a license at an existing bar.

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It was heartbreaking to see this bar close in April - it had nothing to do with business being bad - it wasn't at all - the lease went up remarkably and the owners chose to focus on their new baby Carrie Nation. These buyers are making a smart move - it's a favorite among BU/MIT students as well as Back Bay residents and even visitors from other neighborhoods.

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Keep the dream alive

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