The embattled Crimson Sports Grille closed its doors for good on May 30, one week after it filed an application to sell its business for $250,000 to Grafton, Inc., the company that owns the Temple Bar and the recently closed Grafton Street restaurant.
According to the Grille’s lawyer, James J. Rafferty, the sale agreement was “directly related” to recent disciplinary action against the bar taken by the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) and the Cambridge License Commission (CLC).
The Grille, which has a long history of violations, closed and surrendered its liquor license last Wednesday, the first day of its 18-day state license suspension for six counts of serving alcohol to minors.
If the CLC approves the transfer, which Richard V. Scali, its executive director, said was likely due to Grafton’s “good reputation,” Grafton would open a new restaurant in the Grille’s 59 JFK St. space as early as late August, according to owner Patrick Lee.
Grafton still plans to reopen its original Grafton Street restaurant in the space formerly occupied by the Bow and Arrow Pub at 1 Bow St.
Scali said that the Grille’s record of violations would not be passed on to the new owners.
The Grille’s lawyer, James J. Rafferty, won a one-week stay, from May 23-29, of the ABCC suspension so that his appeal could be heard in Middlesex County Superior Court, and the bar remained open until the stay expired.
The day after the transfer application was filed, the CLC found the Grille in violation again for serving alcohol to a 20-year-old Boston University (B.U.) student on a March 23 sting, but decided not to impose further sanction on the bar until it had heard the petition to transfer the liquor license.
Read more in News
Lost in the Blur of the Changing SquareRecommended Articles
-
Grille's Appeal Denied; Bar May Face SuspensionIn a blow to the credibility of one of the Square's most popular bars, a state commission has denied an
-
Lenient Alcohol Policy Is NeededT he Massachusetts Superior Court will soon issue a ruling as to whether the Crimson Sports Grille should face a
-
Grille May Face PenaltiesThe Crimson Sports Grille may be forced to temporarily go dry following citations for serving underage patrons. Investigators for the
-
City, State Hold Crimson Grille's Feet to FireFor longer than any Harvard student can remember, the Crimson Sports Grille has been the freshman class' worst-kept secret. According
-
Grille Caught Again for Underage Drinking ViolationIn yet another blow to the Crimson Sports Grille, investigators for the Cambridge License Commission (CLC) will testify that they
-
Grafton to Buy Grille, Bar to Close TomorrowThe embattled Crimson Sports Grille filed an application May 23 with the Cambridge License Commission to sell its business for