BERLIN — Berlin officials this week agreed to formally endorse the application for two new restaurant liquor licenses on Main Street after an appeal for support by the property owner.
The Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday agreed to send a formal letter of support to Worcester County’s Board of License Commissioners (BLC) on behalf of Ernest Gerardi, who is seeking Class B seven-day beer, wine and liquor licenses for two new restaurants on North Main Street. Gerardi has applied for the two new licenses and appealed to the town to support him when he goes before the BLC.
“He’s devoted an enormous amount of time and money in Berlin and he will spend an enormous amount of time at these two businesses,” said Gerardi’s attorney Mark Cropper. “He’s seeking your support when he goes before the Board of License Commissioners for these two new businesses.”
One of the applications is for an Italian restaurant on N. Main Street in a building adjacent to Victorian Charm. The building underwent a façade restoration about two years ago and Gerardi is planning to open the new restaurant in mid-June.
The second will be a Tex-Mex style restaurant in the restored Edna Hall Rooming House on N. Main Street across from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services.
Mayor Gee Williams said on Monday he is confident Gerardi will create two new restaurants that fit the ongoing renaissance in the town.
“I found him to be extraordinarily responsible and incredibly diligent,” he said. “I can’t imagine him being anything but completely professional.”
Williams said it was appropriate for the city to officially endorse the license applications for the two new businesses and any businesses that will enhance the appeal of the downtown area.
“Our primary obligation is to create a framework for everything else,” he said. “Then it’s up to the private sector and the non-profit community to fill in the canvas. These two new restaurants will help do that. Restaurants are the cornerstones for attracting guests. I think these two will compliment, rather than compete, with the existing restaurants downtown.”
Williams said the proposed new businesses will help contribute to Berlin’s unique character.
“Berlin has become a destination community,” he said. “We identified our little niche and the businesses that have sprouted up are part of that. People come for whatever purpose and experience Berlin for what we are.”