HOLYOKE — Businesses that hold liquor licenses are important assets to the city of Holyoke — and not just because they pay yearly fees between $475 to $1,100 per establishment.
Yearly license renewal is critical for establishments to stay in good standing for 2025, said Aaron Vega, the city’s director of planning and economic development.
According to Vega, the city takes in liquor license fees on average of about $76,000 per year over the last three years.
He is urging license-holders to comply and “not risk the loss of a license, which would hurt the owner and the city,” Vega said.
The city’s License Board has been mailing businesses their alcohol license renewal forms in the past week.
“All license-holders have been contacted by the Building Department to get their inspections for occupancy done, which is required for the renewal application,” he said.
License-holders need to submit their renewal applications by November. Any renewal application not signed and filed by Nov. 30 will be treated as a new license. New licenses are available for a onetime fee of $10,000.
Restaurant-only licenses were designated in the four neighborhoods included in the Center City of Holyoke’s Urban Renewal Plan to provide development and jobs, while enhancing the vibrancy of the urban core.
The fee will be used to fund economic development projects in downtown Holyoke.
Completed applications will be reviewed by the License Board before being forwarded to the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for final approval.
Vega said the city aims to work with license-holders during renewal season in a positive and productive way to ensure compliance.
“(Holyoke) is proud of all the different restaurants in the city,” Vega said. “We look forward to promoting your business in the new year.”
