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Board approves new manager for Prince Street restaurant, which hopes to re-open this weekend
By adamg on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 10:26am
The Boston Licensing Board today approved a new "manager of record" for Monica's Trattoria, 67 Prince St., to replace Patrick Mendoza, who is unable to fulfill the job's duties on account of being held without bail for at least four months on charges he tried to murder somebody on Hanover Street last month.
Amanda McQueen, who has worked at Monica's Trattoria for almost seven years, most recently as operations manager, has the requisite "fitness and character" to be approved as manager, the board agreed unanimously.
The board ordered the restaurant shut last Tuesday because it no longer considered Mendoza to have those required qualities to operate a liquor-serving restaurant.
Before the restaurant can re-open, the corporate entity that owns the restaurant has to submit paperwork showing that Mendoza is no longer an owner. After his arrest at a Cape Cod substance-abuse facility, his family filed forms with the Secretary of State's office deleting him as an owner.
At today's hearing, the family attorney, William Ferullo, said that Mendoza's brother, Frank, also active in the North End restaurant scene, will help out by working in the kitchen. Mendoza's wife will also be on hand to ensure things run smoothly, he said, adding that Frank and Jorge Mendoza have been working in the closed restaurant to keep it in shape for its expected re-opening.
Innocent, etc.
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Comments
Is there quantitive rubric
Is there quantitive rubric to determine "fitness and character" or is this designation at the subjective whims of the board?
There are some specific questions and a background check
The questions, at least for people who want to be manager of record for a place with a liquor license: Is the proposed manager a US citizen and resident of the Commonwealth (you have to be both) and is he or she familiar with the rules and regulations of the board, the state ABCC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts related to the sale and service of alcohol.
A few months ago, the owner of a gas station in East Boston that wanted to sell beer and wine was denied a packie license because he listed himself as the "manager of record," but lived in New Hampshire (the place recently was approved with a Massachusetts resident as manager).
At hearings, the candidates are also asked in more general terms about their experience in the food and beverage industry.
The background check includes filling out a questionnaire that includes a checkbox for whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime. In the years I've covered licensing, two candidates have been tripped up by this checkbox, most recently last August.
On page 26 of the application ..
It asks if I own a bicycle and a gun?
Given the slog of bureaucracy
Given the slog of bureaucracy, I'm so happy the city pulled out all the stops for the family of the alleged attempted murderer. So glad we can all rush to help them out and ultimately help fund his defense. /s
What bureaucracy?
Wow! Is that some kind of record for the licensing board action? I can't help but wonder if things would have been as speedy for a restaurant in another part of the city.
At least now the family can funnel the profits back to their brother/criminal/ former fugitive from justice!