Happy Market is angling to move into the retail space carved out of the new Doyle's development at 3474 Washington St. in Jamaica Plain, but first the grocer needs to clear a hurdle: an alcohol license. The planned spot runs more than 5,000 square feet, and the whole project depends on whether that license comes through.
That's according to Jamaica Plain News, which reported that Happy Market is applying for an alcohol license tied to the Doyle's redevelopment retail location. Lee Goodman, a representative of WaterMark Development, told the outlet that Happy Market's move into the space hinges on obtaining that license.
Even if the license comes through, the location still needs permitting and a build-out before it can open its doors, per the same report. Goodman said the best-case scenario puts an opening roughly a year out from when the article published, factoring in both the permitting process and the work needed to fit out the space.
Alcohol License Request Headed to Business Group
Happy Market was scheduled to appear before the Jamaica Plain Business and Professional Association on Wednesday to discuss its alcohol-license request, the report noted. The grocer's push comes as the Doyle's site undergoes its broader transformation into a mixed retail development.
Any retail alcohol sale in Boston requires clearing two layers of government review. According to the City of Boston's Licensing Board, applicants need approval from both the Boston Licensing Board and the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. State guidance from Mass.gov specifies that new retail applications covering package stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets must be granted by the local licensing authority and then approved by the ABCC.
What Happens Next
The Boston Licensing Board's role goes beyond local sign-off — per the city's application guidance, the board reviews the request and submits the ABCC application on the applicant's behalf, adding another step before any license could be finalized. Neither the timeline nor outcome of that review has been reported.
For now, the Doyle's redevelopment's future as a place to buy a six-pack along with groceries rests on that pending license request. Jamaica Plain News, which is based in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, reported the original details of Happy Market's plans for the space.
