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Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream and Bowling would team with Hyde Park brewery if it wins beer and wine license

Jay Covitz in Ron's

Ron's manager Jay Covitz at hearing from the ice-cream shop and candlepin alley.

Update: Approved, but pending the board finding an available license in a drawer or something.

The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow whether to approve a proposal by Ron's Gourmet Ice Cream and Bowling on Hyde Park Avenue in Cleary Square to add beer and wine to the soft drinks it now offers keglers.

Ron's, which the Covitz family has run for 75 years, would serve beer from Roundhead Brewing down Hyde Park Avenue as well as wine to patrons who might enjoy an adult beverage "while enjoying a frame or two," its attorney, Tom Miller said. Roundhead already offers Ron's ice cream at its taproom.

However, even if the board approves the idea, it might not have a license available to offer Ron's. In recent years, the state legislature - in particular House Majority Leader Mike Moran of Brighton - has bottled up efforts by Boston to increase the number of alcohol licenses it can distribute, causing a shortage in which even beer-and-wine licenses can go for six figures on the open market.

Miller said that in addition to craft beer from Roundhead brews and wines, Ron's would also expand its food menu from ice cream and pizza to include "appetizers and additional finger foods."

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Comments

Just hope is stays a family friendly place and not a place full of purple haired cyclists.

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so I'm not really sure what the problem with them would be here.

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What are purple haired cyclists? That's a thing? Why are they bad? Should I worry about them coming to my neighborhood? What can I do to ensure that doesn't happen?

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This guy seriously needs to be voted out.

> House majority leader Michael Moran of Brighton says he’ll never support getting rid of the quota system. He doesn’t want Boston’s mayor-appointed Licensing Board to completely control the issuing of liquor licenses in his neighborhood, Allston-Brighton, where the civic association has historically opposed any new licenses out of worries over more late-night noise and fights. “For me to give up the voice my community has on this issue would be like political malpractice,” he says.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/30/magazine/boston-restaurants-need-...

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You can go to his BBQ in September and tell him if you want. Its the day of the Allston Brighton Parade.

He also does pizza in the park (or at least did when I lived in his district pre pandemic) or the Hobart Park Pot Luck and Easter Egg Hunt. I have mentioned my concerns with his actions at all of them.

Someone needs to run against him if you want to vote him out.

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The only ones served by the quota system are the LLPs and business owners who hold on the multiple licenses that they paid for and some bought them half price during Covid. . They have contributed to the campaigns of Representative Moran and others to maintain the status quo and protect the value of those permits even if the new proposed class of neighborhood licenses are restricted and can't be sold, many of them with limited hours as they can't find staff.
He may call it "political malpractice" but we thought properly representing the interests of "all" your constituents and listening to what they need for their neighborhood viability was why they sought public service in the first place. At the rate we're going you will only be able to buy a drink in the Back Bay and the Sea Port or some hotel lounge.
My friends who visit me from Europe are astounded. Good luck to Ron's. Two good brands and hard working folks.

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Yup. Michael Moran has prostituted himself to wealthy restaurant owners. He sucks and needs to be voted out ASAP.

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Everyone should keep in mind that other towns and cities like Worcester, Cambridge, Nantucket, and more have NO STATE QUOTAS and can issue UNLIMITED hard liquor licenses if they so choose.

When asked about this, at least one legislator will claim ignorance and deny it. That would be a sophisticated way to lie about how the state is treating Boston differently.

The situation is unconstitutional as it treats one class of citizen (Bostonians) differently than the rest of the state, potentially with animus because of the historical and current way in which the liquor license allocation disadvantages Bostonian entrepreneurs, especially minorities who did not historically hold licenses.

The state legislature, but especially the legislators from Boston, need to get their foot off the neck of the city.

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I spoke with Ron about 10 years ago and mentioned a building in another Boston neighborhood that I thought would make a great new bowling alley. I suggested that it would only be successful if it served alcohol. He poo-poo'ed the idea of adding alcohol saying that it would just encourage drunks and fights.

I think beer and wine would be a fine addition to the Hyde Park location.

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sounds good

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