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Board delays action on proposed South Station mini-packie to see if owners can somehow convince the T to support the idea

The Boston Licensing Board today deferred any action on a proposal for a high-priced liquor kiosk in the South Station commuter-rail waiting area because of strong opposition from the MBTA and Transit Police.

"I'm not totally against the idea," board Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce said, noting Land Of Beer had shown a willingness to work with Leather District residents by scaling back its proposed closing time from 11 p.m. to 8 p.m.

But "there is more work to be done" because Transit Police wrote the board that both it and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak are "vehemently opposed" to the idea of grab-and-going in the busy transit hub, even if the place would try to discourage brown bagging by pricing the bottles and cans higher than at traditional liquor stores and keeping the wares behind a counter.

Joyce said she needs to see the company convince the T the proposal isn't really that bad.

The board also agreed it needs formal written communication from Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., which is responsible for South Station concessions, that it has agreed to police the waiting area's tables and seats to keep it from turning into a brown-bagging haven, and that it wants to hear directly from Keolis, which operates commuter-rail trains out of South Station, what it thinks of the proposal.

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Comments

A T cop on Commuter Rail?

The only time I have ever seen a T cop on commuter rail was because he was going home after drinking with me when he was off duty.

Grow up T. The law breakers are already there and they are doing what they want for the most part unimpeded.

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Is more with the station itself than on the trains, which is why the board wants to hear from Keolis as well.

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Tavern In The Square is already at South Station.

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You only posted that so you could use that headline.

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You have to admit though @Gary C it was a funny headline.
As much as I used to go through South Station everyday for 15 years and even got my shoes shined looking directly at the sign I never thought of that.
Juvenile = Yes, Funny = Also yes.

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people have been calling the chain "TITS" since it was founded. Usually as part of the sentence, "ugh, I guess if everyone else is going to TITS I'll stop by to say hi but then I'm going to the Silhouette".

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Getting your business opened should be the default position and the burden should be on special interests to prove that there's a real need for a denial, not the other way around.

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In this case, the worst outcome isn't that bad. If they were selling fireworks or razor knives, there is a good reason to err on the side of caution.

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That the MBTA, Transit Police, and Keolis have all provided reasons for a denial. That you disagree with the reasons is a moot point, as the interested parties are doing exactly what you want them to do.

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Can someone explain to me why this is bad when train stations, trains, and commuter rails all over the world and country do this already?

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I actually agree with T Police, Poftak...

Not sure this is a good idea. But the price point may stop alot of the 'brown paper baggers' so it might work. But then again, I tend to err on the side of caution with most things.

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"Oh! MY! Someone might drink a can of beer on a train and enjoy themselves!"

I would argue that people would feel less pressure to "tank up" before arriving at the station, if they knew they could have one on the train home. (I know that's not exactly what they are proposing here, but it all seems much-ado about nothing. )

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Pay a visit to South Station some time and try to figure out why a packie could be seen as problematic. It ain’t the commuters.

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Those are the other people who use the station.

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That would be the people who are in the station all day, but never seem to get on a train. Not even to visit their son or parole officer or whatever in either Worcester or Plymouth.

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Completely reasonable, provided that the MBTA, in return, demonstrates people can tolerate the current level of service without inebriation.

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Really, how many thousands of people live here? There was already a packie on South Street, and that gem-of-a-dive, The Corner Bar. If anything, those who want a drink on the train ride home will probably stay in the South Station area.
/end of leather/pearl clutching

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Just here to appreciate the term “mini-packie”

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