Business & Tech

Splitsville Liquor License Transfer Denied by Selectmen 3-2

Update: 12:10 p.m. - Splitsville Mark Gibson has released a statement responding to the vote by the selectmen.

“We are extremely disappointed in what has happened with our efforts to open one of our signature bowling venues at Patriot Place. We've put a tremendous amount of resources into providing a comprehensive application for the Town's consideration," Gibson said. "We believe we satisfied every requirement needed to obtain approval of our liquor license application. The board's denial of our application appears to be based on things unrelated to us."

To read the full statement, click here.

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Don't get your bowling shoes yet because for now Splitsville is likely on hold.

After two weeks worth of meetings and hearings, the Foxboro selectmen voted 3-2 to not allow for a liquor license transfer from the Dana Farber Field House to Splitsville.

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Jim DeVellis and Mark Sullivan voted to allow for the transfer while John Gray, Lorraine Brue, and Ginny Coppola voted no.

“Knowing their record, I expected Ginny (Coppola) and Lorraine (Brue) to vote against it. What I am surprised is that a business man like John Gray voted against something so economically positive,” Vice president of Kraft Group's Business Development and External Affairs Dan Murphy said after the vote. “I think the next time this town is looking to cut services or increase taxes, I hope they look to John.”

Selectmen voting against the transfer continued to express their concerns over the use of the Howl at the Moon brand and the impact on public safety despite assurances from Splitsville officials and police chief Ed O’Leary.

Gray’s concerns came after calling the Splitsville in Fariview, Texas and watching a video on the Howl at the Moon Boston website depicting a party atmosphere.

According to Gray, the person he talked to said the establishment was a bar and restaurant with a bowling theme. There were also no leagues and there was a shift to an adult environment in the evening. 

The video also did little to quell the selectman's concerns.

“I did go on their (Howl at the Moon) website and the brand is a party theme, they do serve large drinks. I wouldn’t call it a family environment,” Gray said.

Splitsville owner Mark Gibson continued to stress that the use of the brand was for entertainment purposes only and to have access to musicians employed by Howl at the Moon. The bowling establishment would not serve the large drinks and jello shots served at the Boston location of Howl at the Moon.

“What we like about the Howl at the Moon concept is the quality of the entertainment. It’s a completely different environment,” Gibson said. "The idea of having a lot of arrows in your quiver, it's a competitive business out there and you need to know your landscape."

Coppola also disapproved of the use of the name for entertainment purposes.

“I think it (Splitsville) would be a great addition at Patriot Place. I question why don’t you just go at it on your own because I am concern about the Howl at the Moon brand. The Howl at the Moon, it’s drinking and entertainment but it’s drinking. What you are promoting is drinking. If you get a license, I think we’re licensing two concepts,” Coppola said.

Despite the concerns from other selectmen, DeVellis was not worried about the use of the Howl at the Moon brand name and cited a past liquor license transfer as reason to give Splitsville a chance.

“I went to Trader Joe’s and it was exactly as promised and it’s good to see promises and words were kept,” DeVellis said.

With an estimate capacity between 650-750 people, Brue told Splitsville and Patriot Place officials she was worried about the increase in people it would bring to the mall.

"I think our staffing (police) levels are spread thin. I know there is work being done enhancing the policing approach to managing Patriot Place. I just have a concern with such a large number of people in a venue. It’s almost at the same time as Saga is opening, we’re bringing on another Toby Keith's," Brue said.

Capacity for Saga Hibachi Steak House and Sushi is 200 people while Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill is 1,335.

With the potential addition of Splitsville, O’Leary had met with Kraft Group officials to come up with a plan to accommodate the new establishment. It was agreed that a commanding officer would be used to oversee police details and increase communications. Plans would be tested to enhance security in anticipation of Splitsville starting later this month.

“We’re trying to come up with a process where we can build a police strategy for Patriot Place. I think a key component is to have a command level officer that can oversee the facility and have a better sense of control,” O’Leary said.

An area for the commanding officer to work would be provided at Patriot Place along with access to the shopping center’s security cameras.

Sullivan was willing to give Splitsville a chance but warned them of the seriousness of a violation.

“My opinion is that if you’re going to put $4.5 million into a business, you’re pretty serious. The last thing you want to do is come in front of this board and say we got a violation. You will have inspectors, you will have stings. You’ll be notified and you’ll feel it. People know it’s coming and they still fail,” Sullivan said.

For now, whether Splitsville can happen or not in Foxboro remains unknown. Gibson said in a statement that the company is now evaluating their options.

At the Oct. 29 meeting, public support for Splitsville was unanimous, making this decision likely unpopular with many residents in town.

“I wonder who this board is representing when 100 percent of the people that came up and spoke of this spoke in favor of it, when our chief of police asks for mitigation and gets everything he asks for, and still the board votes no,” Murphy said.

Splitsville also features locations in Tampa, Miami, Fredericksburg, VA, and Downtown Disney in Orlando.


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