News Feature
Originally published in
Island Ad-Vantages, November 9, 2023
Board approves music hall’s liquor license, with conditions
by Will Robinson
At their November 2 meeting, the Deer Isle Select Board approved the liquor license for Deer Isle Music Hall and BBQ, an upcoming restaurant and music venue in the Old Legion Hall on Sunset Road.
The newly refurbished building sits on the same property as Snappers Day Care Center. The board approved the license with the understanding that proprietors Jenn and Tony Adams of Deer Isle will only serve beer and wine outside the day care center’s operating hours.
“My only concern is having small children around while you’re open,” said board member Percy ‘Joe’ Brown.
The Adamses said they’ve come to a similar agreement with their landlords, Snappers owners Patrick and Kassandra Shepard. While the restaurant will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, alcohol will only be served inside after 4:30.
Chair Ronald Eaton raised the point that the agreement is “on your honor.” If the owners wanted to serve alcohol outside of the agreed-upon times, they have the right to under the terms of the license.
Tony said they won’t risk angering the property owner or the select board by breaking their promise.
“We intend to still be here five years from now,” he said.
If there is an issue, Town Manager Jim Fisher said the town could “keep them responsible” with the possibility of not renewing their license next year.
Tony said his intention behind getting a beer and wine license is to control the level of intoxication. Having people bring their own booze, he said, “can get messy.”
Board member Peter Perez raised the issue of noise, which Jenn Adams said would be handled by having music inside and not played after 10 p.m.
“We don’t want to anger our neighbors or the town,” she said.
After the approval, Tony Adams said the dance hall’s opening date is still “up in the air” while they await the arrival of a 500-gallon offset smoker, currently being custom built in Georgia.
