By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — When several liquor licenses came up for renewal earlier this month, the Naples Board of Selectmen welcomed a new business that will be opening on the Causeway this summer.

Wai Houng “Rick” Lam purchased the establishment formerly known as the Lost Lobstah. He plans to reopen as The Lotus Garden. He was applying for a liquor license.

During the public hearing, Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak said this was a license for business that was new to Naples.

“Welcome,” he said to the Lams.

The liquor license allows patrons to drink beer and wine in an outdoor setting on the premises. Selectman Bob Caron II also welcomed the business-owners to Naples. Additionally, he took time to explain that the “liquor license is defined by staying within place where picnic tables are.” A wooden fence provides the boundary.

Since the board was also reviewing its first street vendor permit application, the audience got an education about the definition of street vendor.

“Any for-profit business infringing on state’s rights-of-way, if you are in the buffer,” the business must submit an application for a street vendor permit, Town Manager Paraschak said.

Selectman Paraschak clarified that space for the owners of The Lotus Garden.

“The wooden fence is the edge of the state property. If you want to put a table between the road and sidewalk, you would have to come to us for permit to use that land,” he said.

In addition to outdoor seating in the right-of-way, people must get a permit to place tables or billboards in that area. Nobody is permitted to place items on the sidewalk since that impedes the safe passages of pedestrians.

The Lotus Garden received its liquor license with a 3-0 vote. Selectmen Dana Watson and Kevin Roger were not present.

The public hearings for liquor license renewals were held on May 4. During the regular meeting, the following businesses received the board’s approval of liquor license renewals: The Naples Lobster Pound, 171 Roosevelt Trail; The Galley Restaurant and Pub, 327 Roosevelt Trail; and The Freedom Café and Pub, 923 Roosevelt Trail.

The Freedom Café had one Operating Under the Influence (OUI), which originated from there, and one disturbance, according to a report from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

For a bar, that number of instances is not alarming, Ephrem Paraschak said.

That evening, the board also approved Special Amusement Permits for The Freedom Café and The Galley.

It was noted that the permit only allows outdoor music until 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., groups providing live music must perform indoors.