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Date: 2/14/2019
LONGMEADOW — The newest restaurant in town, set to open in June called “Posto” had their liquor license hearing at the Feb. 4 Select Board meeting, upon which time the applicant shared information with the Board on the new eatery. The Board had the opportunity to ask questions regarding the new space – and to warn the owners that the Town of Longmeadow takes their liquor licenses seriously.
West Springfield Attorney Christopher Brown sat beside applicant Ralph Santaniello at the meeting, and explained to the Board what Posto has in store for the town. Brown shared that the business will be located in the former Bertucci’s restaurant in the Longmeadow Shops. This will not be Santaniello’s first business venture, as he and his brother–in–law–turned business partner Mike Presnal co–own Agawam’s The Federal and West Hartford’s Vinted Wine Bar.
The pair have owned The Federal for the past 17 years, which also has a popular catering business, as well as Vinted for the last six years.
“They’re both very upscale restaurants and they’ve never had an issue with a license or disciplinary problems,” Brown said.
Both Santaniello and Presnal are longtime residents of East Longmeadow, which Brown stated, means that they have an investment in the community and Western Massachusetts in general.
The proposed management of record is Christina Presnal, Mike Presnal’s wife and Santaniello’s sister. Brown shared that Christina grew up alongside her brother in the restaurant business, as their parents owned popular Holyoke restaurant Amedeo’s. Additionally, she has worked at The Federal since their ownership, and Brown noted that she is very experienced “in the front end,” meaning food and alcohol service, “everything outside of the kitchen.”
Christina is TIPS certified, and Brown stated she understands that she will be responsible for assuring compliance with liquor laws and regulations for Massachusetts and Longmeadow.
Continuing, Brown explained that Posto will be a family–oriented restaurant that will not be as upscale as The Federal and Vinted. With that said, Santaniello later shared with the Board that all of the food at Posto will be homemade including pastas and pizzas. Posto’s proposed hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 pm., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant is proposed to have 150 seats as well as a 20–seat outdoor patio. The building square footage is just over 4,000 square feet. Additionally, the business will employee between 30 and 40 people that will range from part time to full time employees.
Following Brown’s comments, the Board asked Brown and Santaniello a few questions regarding their liquor license application as well as questions about the restaurant itself. Select Board Chair Mark Gold questioned why the applicant came to the board at this time when there are a few items on it not completed, including the building fire certificate of inspection, the liquor liability certificate, workers compensation affidavit certificate of insurance and the TIPS safe serve employee certification.
“I understand you may not have hired employees yet so that may be a little bit more difficult, but we went through this previously with a prior applicant who came in with a not yet complete application and their argument was that before we make an investment we want to make sure we can get a liquor license, so the question is, why are we here tonight prior to have these items included?” Gold questioned.
Santaniello responded that technically they had not yet made an investment as all of the improvements to the property have been done by the landlord.
“We won’t make any investment until we get the liquor license because obviously, if we don’t get it, there is not business,” Santaniello stated.
Brown added to Santaniello’s statement, explaining that “clearly” the owners understand that before any license can be approved or issued, they have to have the proper inspections and certifications completed.
Select Board member Richard Foster added that Longmeadow’s clerk told the Select Board that they would hold a license for a business until all of the checks are complete.
At the close of the Public Hearing, the Select Board unanimously approved the liquor license for Posto contingent upon all of the inspections and requirements being completed. The liquor license will not be released until the requirements are filled.