AMHERST — A father and son who run a Belchertown package store are being awarded an all-alcohol, off premise license so that liquor sales for off-site consumption can resume from a storefront at Newmarket Shopping Plaza at 6 University Drive.

The Board of License Commissioners Thursday voted unanimously to award the lone available license, of eight the town is legally capped at, to Nilkanth Associates LLP, a corporation that intends to open up at a site that has long been used as a package store.

In their 5-0 vote, commissioners noted that the 6 University Drive site is compatible with its previous use, the lack of other similar establishments nearby and that the location is within walking distance of nearby homes.

The vote means that the commission turned down applications from Cushman Market, 491 Pine St., and Amherst Market, 259 Triangle St., both of which sought to upgrade their licenses from beer and wine off-premise sales, and NP Amherst LLC to open a new establishment at 181 University Drive, at the Big Y Plaza.

The license became available when University Liquors at 6 University Drive relinquished its license when the owners were unable to get renewal paperwork done by a Nov. 30 deadline, and also had lost access to its site.

The new store will be run by Praful Patel and his son, Akshar “Oscar” Patel, a Hadley native. Together they run Country Crossroads in Belchertown, and Praful Patel formerly oversaw the South Amherst Liquor Mart.

“Nilkanth understands and employs responsible business practices,” said Dick Evans, a Northampton attorney representing the family.

Oscar Patel said his plan is to renovate the store with hardwood floors and, as a woodworker, he will build racks to hold some of the products. Patel said the store will be more presentable and noticeably different than it had been as University Liquors.

Commission members expressed support for the Nilkanth plan. Gaston de los reyes said he is impressed with the father and son team. “There’s potential to have a distinctive Amherst liquor store there,” de los Reyes said.

Commission member Dillon Maxfield said his preference was for a business that is focused on being a package store, rather than offering a diverse array of products, while commissioner Hallie Hughes said she appreciates the University Drive site is walkable.

Chairwoman Marion Walker said that no other nearby package stores is a compelling argument in its favor. “The need on University Drive seems more pressing with the lost location,” Walker said.

The lone public comment came from Alex Hoar of Cottage Street, who said neighbors were concerned about Amherst Market when it added beer and wine several years ago. While there have been no problems there, the downtown neighborhood has dealt with nip bottles from other package stores.

Brian Riley, an attorney with KP Law, told the commissioners that they would have to send approval and rejection letters, but that the only reason they had to make for denial is that no license is available.

The other seven all-alcohol, off-premises licenses are held by Amherst Wines and Spirits, Big Guy Liquors, R&P Package Store, Russell’s Liquors, Cousins Market, Spirit Haus and Watroba’s Liquors.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>