EASTHAMPTON — Adamo’s Pizzeria has been ordered to stop serving alcohol after the Licensing Board on Monday discovered the restaurant has been operating without a valid liquor license for over three months.
The 126 Northampton St. restaurant was sold in April. But its liquor license remains tied to the former owner and manager, who is no longer associated with the restaurant after the sale, rendering the license invalid. The board discovered Adamo’s lack of proper licensure Monday when representatives from its new owner, Roma’s Restaurant, Inc., appeared before the board to request that the license be transferred from the previous owner, Adamo’s Inc.
Gloria E. Moreno, of Florence, is the president of Roma’s. Her attorney, Frank E. Flannery, spoke on her behalf at the meeting due to her limited English proficiency, Flannery said.
The board quickly realized that it would be impossible for it to initiate the license transfer because the manager-of-record of the current license no longer works at the restaurant. Board Member Kelley A. Richey asked Flannery why he was only now coming before the board. “They didn’t intend to do anything inappropriate, if that’s your question,” Flannery said.
But the board found Roma’s business conduct highly improper.
“It’s safe to say you’re not operating with a valid liquor license,” Chairman Jason Duda said. “This is a problem, this is a real problem.”
Member Raymond Redfern put it bluntly: “If they’re selling without a license, that’s an arrestable offense.”
The board voted unanimously to suspend Adamo’s license until further notice and advised Flannery to consult with the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission as to how the company can go about getting the proper licensure.
Flannery could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com