Selectmen approved liquor license for Westport Portuguese market over objections

Liquor license requests have regularly come before selectmen this summer, and all have been granted with controversy.

WESTPORT — Liquor license requests have regularly come before selectmen this summer, and all have been granted with controversy.

Monday’s meeting was no different, but this time the region’s Portuguese culture helped solidify R & C Market Inc.’s bid for a wine and beer license.

Selectmen Brian Valcourt, citing his own Portuguese heritage, said that R & C’s potential sales of Portuguese wine, as well as its sales of Portuguese food, make the business a prime candidate to receive a license.

Nicholas Gomes, a lawyer representing another nearby business — Star Country Store & Deli — protested State Road’s R & C Market Inc. receiving a liquor license.

Gomes mentioned that there are four within a half-mile radius of that location. He questioned the logic of allowing another license within that “busy highway district.”

Gomes mentioned that two liquor approvals made sense and there was a need. For instance, he mentioned that a Westport Point business for a license would help generate business for that fishing wharf, appealing to local boaters who frequent the area.

Gomes mentioned how Weatherlow Farms receiving a license also would appeal to consumers interested in the farm-to-table concept.

”Those decisions represented a sound board protecting the town of Westport,” Gomes said. “This (R & C license) is nothing other than another malt and beverage package store. … “We are looking at a small population, a small town, and we need to protect our inhabitants.”

Gomes provided maps and said it is “striking” to see the close proximity of these wine and beer licenses in town.

Valcourt mentioned that people in Westport often travel to Fall River or New Bedford for Portuguese wine or food.

“It is part of our heritage,” he said.

He indicated that R & C Market fulfills the need of that demographic.

Selectmen Chairwoman Shana Shufelt also noted that at the last Town Meeting, voters approved R & C’s bid for a license but rejected a bid for a beer and wine at another location.

Such a Town Meeting vote was necessary because the town is at its limit for liquor licenses.

Valcourt alluded to that vote and how the local Portuguese might appreciate the cultural ties to R & C Market.

Monday’s meeting also was successful for automobile businesses.

Selectmen approved Windmill Motorcycles Inc. Class II License to sell on Hix Bridge Road, as well as Norwest Auto Sales’ bid to move to a new location on State Road -- 276-280.