Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Opinions on a new market on Commonwealth Avenue are all over the place.
On Tuesday, the Zoning Board of Appeal approved plans for a high-end market to replace the UPS Store near Boston College, with plans to sell fancy wines, gourmet foods and other artisan products. The store’s developers laid out their sales policies during the meeting and said they would not be selling nips, kegs, scratch tickets, or tobacco products.
While the plans were approved, many local officials were still opposed. Secretary of State Bill Galvin thinks the plan is a terrible idea, saying he “has the cans to prove it” on his lawn at nearby Lake Street. Galvin said restrictions have not been a barrier for Boston College students in the past.
"The idea that you could put a liquor store literally a few feet away from 5,000 dormitory students, most of whom are underage, is absurd," said Galvin.
Some residents and students argue that the alcohol the artisan market will be offering is too expensive for underage college students to take the risk. Residents in the area also said it would be unfair to restrict their ability to get artisan products based on proximity to the school.
“If it’s high-end wine that’s [not an issue]. College students are usually looking to buy something cheaper,” said one student.
For many of the Boston College students, the loss of the UPS store would be more impactful than the addition of the artisan market.
“[I’m] pretty upset because it’s easy to walk here,” said another student.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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