“If you’re on a beer trip, you’re coming here”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Three years ago, Jay Mello and two of his hiking buddies decided they were “sick of waiting in long lines for a beer.”

So they started brewing their own in the winter of 2016, and haven’t stopped. Though Mello admits, making your own beer wasn’t the easiest shortcut to take.

By the summer of 2020, the trio plans to open their new craft beer brewery and tasting room – As Built Brewery – in Franklin at 40 Alpine Row. The brewery will be the town’s first.

As Built will be located in a 6,000-square-foot space within the town’s downtown zoning district and will include a production area and a canning machine – the only brewery to have one in the area, said Mello. He calls the canning line “key to brewing,” and getting their beer in more people’s hands. Eventually, the brewery hopes to distribute their beer to local liquor stores."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191005/as-built-brewery-plans-to-open-in-franklin-next-summer

As Built Brewery

You can find out more about As Built on their webpage  http://asbuiltbrewing.com/

on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pg/asbuiltbrewing

or at UnTappd  https://untappd.com/AsBuiltBrewingCo?

Harvest Festival FUNdraiser - August 25

From Pour Richard's email newsletter:

"In the depths of winter, when I'm fantasizing about summer, those fantasies break down into 2 broad categories: the beach and late-summer vegetables. The beach because that's where I wish I was, the vegetables because I wish that's what I was eating. August is when gardens and farm stands explode with deliciousness faster than you can consume it.

If you've never had cause to appreciate your 5 senses, August at a farmer's market will change all that, with sights, sounds, and-especially-smells certain to have you drooling in anticipation. Zucchini, fresh herbs, garlic, eggplant. Beans. Radishes. And best of all: sweet corn and tomatoes.

Very little can compete with a freshly picked and cooked ear of corn on the cob. Or a tomato straight from the garden, still warm from the afternoon sun. But if you're getting bored with the minimalist vibe, grill your corn and top it with cotijo cheese and hot sauce for a take on Mexican street food.

Bake the tomatoes into a tart, or stir them into olive oil, garlic, and salt for a quick pasta sauce. Make a frittata. Bruschetta. Or toss the corn and tomatoes with olive oil, basil, and a touch of hot pepper for a salad that's basically August in a bowl.

Of course, we have some definite opinions on what you should drink with all that, starting with some ripe, rich Cali Chardonnays. The Neyers Carneros is a classic, but don't overlook Fulcrum's Durell Vineyard or Byron Kosuge's Sonoma Coast Chard. Seeing red instead?

Pick up the black cherry-laden Villain & Vixen Grenache or our new favorite Avalon Cabernet. Or split the difference and go pink: Bedrock's Ode to Lulu gives you the gutsy quality of a big red with the slithery coolness of a white, all in one bottle.

And if you really like your tomatoes and corn (and zucchini and herbs and local beer, cheese, meat, bourbon, etc), then mark your calendars for our Harvest Festival FUNdraiser for the Norfolk County Farm Bureau.

Your $10 ticket is a 100% donation to the Farm Bureau and includes samples of delicious farm to table food, farm to glass cocktails, organic wines, and local beers. Sunday, August 25 from 1-4 PM. Don't miss it!"

Where: 

Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits 

(508) 520-9163 | www.pourrichardswine.com

14 Grove Street  Franklin, MA 02038

some produce from my own garden

In the News: Dean switches athletic conference; gambling expansion hearings; brewers-distributors don't agree

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the addition of Dean College as its newest full core member institution beginning with the 2020-21 academic year, as recently announced by GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh.

Dean College is currently a member of the New England Collegiate Conference for all sports excluding football.

In all, 14 of Dean’s 15 varsity sport programs will compete initially in the GNAC: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and men’s and women’s volleyball."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/stronggreat-northeast-athletic-conference-adds-dean-college-strong

Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn recently

"Eight years after Massachusetts legalized casino gambling and while lawmakers are weighing further expansions of gaming, a Hopkinton couple told lawmakers the story of how “the spread of commercialized gambling” has turned their lives and business upside down, and warned lawmakers against further promoting gambling.

Sara and Jeff Austin, who own and operate a sound engineering firm in Framingham, noticed a few unauthorized transactions on a bank statement in December 2018. Their bookkeeper, Antonis Mallios, assured them it was an accounting error and would be rectified in no time.

But as the Austins sorted through seven years of records, they and law enforcement realized Mallios had allegedly stolen $885,000 from the company and another $470,000 from a Methuen health center where he also kept the books."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/hopkinton-couple-victims-of-alleged-embezzler-slams-push-for-plainridge-table-games

"Brewers and beer distributors are renewing the effort to create new pathways out of their business partnerships, but a “compromise” bill put forward by distributors has already been rejected by brewers, who are offering a plan they said would be “painful” for them but still preferable to the distributors’ option.

“We’re not trying to make it easy for us to leave our wholesalers,” said Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch. “We’re willing to make it very painful in order to get something done. We’d love it differently, but it’s not going to happen. We have to make it painful for us.”

Under current law, once a beer supplier has worked with a particular distributor for six months, that distributor has indefinite rights to the products it has already distributed, and a supplier can only terminate the contract if the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission determines that the distributor has violated one of five statutorily-defined conditions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/brewers-distributors-renew-quarrel-over-exclusive-contracts

Taste of Summer - June 6

Taste of Summer

Wine and Beer Tasting Fundraiser

At Pour Richards Wine and Spirits 14 Grove Street, Franklin, MA

June 6, 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Sponsored by Franklin Federated Church 

All are Welcome

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNTFpRG9wbTA1VHpfb1FrYjZvSURkaGNteHo0/view?usp=sharing

Taste of ArtWeek Festival Announces Food Truck Line Up

Taste of ArtWeek, a kick-off celebration to Franklin ArtWeek, announced today that it will feature nine food trucks from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Five savory trucks will include iGottaQ BBQ, Away Café offering Thai and American favorites, Moe's Street Eats featuring Italian cuisine, The Dogfather's gourmet hot dogs, and The Cod Squad's award-winning seafood from Captain Marden's. 

Four sweet trucks include The Whoo(pie) Wagon's multiple flavors of whoopie pies, Sarcastic Sweets offering cupcakes, brownies, cake pops and cookies, Shishkaberry's famous chocolate-dipped strawberries and frozen cheesecake, and Like No Udder's vegan ice cream. 

Taste of ArtWeek is intended to give attendees a "taste" of what ArtWeek is all about. Food truck tickets are $20 for four items for adults and $10 for two items for kids. Tickets can be purchased at www.randomsmile.org/festival.

Taste of ArtWeek is on Saturday, April 27 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, and will also include free live performances, a craft fair, and a demo and hands-on tent on the Franklin Town Common, as well as a beer and wine garden and a fine art exhibition across the street at Hayward Manor.

Taste of ArtWeek is being organized by the Franklin Cultural Council, in partnership with Random Smile Project charity. Proceeds from the event will benefit both organizations.

The Cod Squad's award-winning seafood from Captain Marden's -
one of several food trucks to participate in Taste of ArtWeek

Taste Of ArtWeek Announces Performance Line Up

Taste of ArtWeek, a kick-off celebration to Franklin ArtWeek, will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. The festival will include food trucks, live performances, a craft fair, and a hands-on crafts and demo tent on the Franklin Town Common, as well as a beer and wine garden and fine art exhibition at Hayward Manor, and is intended to give attendees a "taste" of what ArtWeek is all about.

The live performances are free and require no ticketing. They will be held on the gazebo stage on the Town Common, and include a variety of dance, theater, and musical entertainment. 

Dean College Dance Company

Two of the groups are comprised of professional musicians associated with Berklee College of Music: the Cape Cod Sax Quartet, a jazz ensemble, and Franklin-based folk singers Kaye Kelly and Mark Hardt. In addition, Franklin's own State Representative Jeff Roy will be playing a pop music set with members of his band, as well as his son. 

Dean College will send two groups to Taste of ArtWeek, their Theater Rep Ensemble to perform several musical theater pieces, and their well-respected Dance Company. Other dance performances will come from Feet in Motion School of Dance and the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Dance Company. 

The performance schedule is as follows:
4:00 - 4:45 Cape Cod Sax Quartet (jazz)
4:55 - 5:15 Dean College Theater Rep Ensemble & Dean College Dance Company
5:20 - 5:40 Feet in Motion School of Dance
5:45 - 6:05 Franklin School for the Performing Arts Dance Company
6:15 - 7:00 Jeff Roy & Friends (pop music)
7:15 - 8:00 Kaye Kelly & Mark Hardt (folk music)

FSPA Dance

The kick-off is being organized by the Franklin Cultural Council, in partnership with Random Smile Project charity. Proceeds from the event will benefit both organizations. For more information about Taste of ArtWeek, or to purchase tickets for the food trucks and beer & wine garden, please visit www.randomsmile.org/festival. 


Sponsors for Taste of ArtWeek include Mass Vacations, the MetroWest Visitors Bureau, the Mass Cultural Council, Dean Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, La Cantina Winery, Dean College, Liberty Realty, and Senate President Karen E. Spilka's office.

Taste of ArtWeek tickets now on sale!

Food trucks, beer & wine garden, live performances, craft fair, art show and more!

Food truck and beer garden tickets are now available online! For more information, the performance line up, or to purchase tickets, go to https://randomsmile.org/festival! Are you a crafter? We have just 4 booths left available in the craft fair! Download the fair information here. https://gallery.mailchimp.com/9f1ff188fa31b9964acfa8e2c/files/a7698baa-9618-429c-800d-7f7302757f37/Taste_of_ArtWeek_craft_fair_prospectus.pdf Copyright © 2019 Franklin Cultural Council, All rights reserved. Received this from a friend? Subscribe to our email list. Our mailing address is: 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Questions? Contact FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038 [at] gmail.com

Taste Of Artweek Festival: Announces Beer & Wine Garden Line Up for Apr 27

Taste of ArtWeek, a kick-off celebration to Franklin ArtWeek, announced today that La Cantina Winery, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, Exhibit 'A' Brewing Company, Crue Brew Brewery, and Zelus Beer Company will all be featured in their beer and wine garden. 

The festival is on Saturday, April 27 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, and will also include food trucks, a craft fair, and free live performances on the Franklin Town Common. The beer and wine garden and a fine art exhibition will be held across the street at Hayward Manor. 

Taste of ArtWeek is intended to give attendees a "taste" of what ArtWeek is all about. Beer and wine garden tickets are $20, and will provide guests with either a flight of six tastes of different beverages, or two full pours. Tickets can be purchased in advance, starting April 1, at www.randomsmile.org/festival.

Taste Of Artweek Festival: - Apr 27

"As a local resident of Franklin and owner of the winery in Franklin, I am thrilled to take part in this community event. The town has been very supportive of our winery and it’s great to see them allowing food trucks and a beer/wine tent. Our award winning wines are produced and bottled in Franklin with grapes sourced from California and Chile. It is our mission to work with all organizations in town with efforts in supporting the community. We are honored to take part in ArtWeek, especially in the town we call home." says Bob Vozzella, owner of La Cantina Winery and one of this year's festival sponsors.

Taste of ArtWeek is being organized by the Franklin Cultural Council, in partnership with Random Smile Project charity. Proceeds from the event will benefit both organizations. More details on this and other ArtWeek events can be found online at www.artweekma.org.

About the Franklin Cultural Council — The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

US Census: "Microbrewery Business is Hopping"

"According to the County Business Patterns program, between 2012 and 2016 (the most recent available data), the total number of breweries skyrocketed from 880 to 2,802. Of that total, 2,605 had 49 or less employees. 

These small businesses employed over 55,000 workers with a total annual payroll of $2.6 billion. 

Keep in mind that these data only include businesses classified as “breweries.” Businesses that brew their own beer (restaurants and brew pubs) but are classified in other industries which are excluded from these statistics. If these other businesses had been included, the number and growth over the last five years would be even greater."

Continue reading about America's love affair with Craft Breweries
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/10/americas-love-affair-with-craft-beer.html?eml=gd&utm_campaign=20181004msacos2ccstors&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

An interactive map shows the growth in breweries state by state since 2012. MA data shows:

the growth in breweries in MA since 2012

To use the interactive map yourself:
http://visual.it.census.gov/views/BeerV10_5_10-3-2018/StateDashboard?iframeSizedToWindow=true&:embed=y&:display_spinner=no&:showAppBanner=false&:embed_code_version=3&:loadOrderID=0&:tabs=no&:display_count=no&:showVizHome=no

In the News: brewing growth in Marlborough; MA election security improvements after November

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The brewing industry’s rapid growth in MetroWest over the past few years has reflected the overall growth of the industry. 

But for awhile, one of the larger MetroWest communities – Marlborough – went without a brewery as they continued to open in smaller surrounding communities such as Hudson and Westborough. 

But now that’s changing. By the end of this year, it’s expected there will be three breweries operating taprooms in the city, with a fourth planning to open in the spring of 2019. Marlborough is about to become a destination for craft beer fans throughout the state.

That is intentional, said Meredith Harris, executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. Last year, the corporation took out advertisements in beer magazines, offering incentives in the form of small business loans and help with permitting, to try to attract a brewery or two to downtown."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180908/beer-entrepreneurs-take-liking-to-marlborough

"Massachusetts has received millions of dollars in federal funding to bolster election security, but most of it will not be spent until after the November election. 

The Bay State has received $7.9 million from the federal government, which election officials plan to spend on voting equipment, voter registration systems and cybersecurity, according to documents shared with Wicked Local. About 81 percent of the money, however, will be spent after the upcoming midterm election. 

State officials, nonetheless, say the federal dollars -- while helpful -- are not vital to running a safe and accurate election. 

“We were already spending money and resources from our existing budget on cybersecurity, so we were not dependent on the federal funding for 2018,” wrote Debra O’Malley, spokeswoman for Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office. “This additional funding will be used to add to our existing preparations and for future elections.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180908/state-to-spend-millions-on-election-security---after-november

MA election security improvements scheduled for after November

“There is no one making bottles in New England"

Via the Franklin network, we get the link to this story on the domino effect of companies closing up operations:

"Inside a huge industrial building in Franklin, there are 120 conveyor belts designed to carry broken glass to three stories of giant machines that crush the glass and sort it, to be sent away and be made into new bottles. 

But those machines aren't running now. 

"I think the plant operated at approximately 80 decibels — glass is banging, machines are running. Yeah it was it was pretty loud here,” said Andrew Crowley of Strategic Materials, which owns the plant. Today the plant almost silent inside. “It's kind of sad, it being so quiet," he said. 

The plant closed last month because it lost its only big customer — a company called Ardagh, which ran a plant just nine miles away in Milford that turned all that glass back into bottles. That closed down in March. 250 people worked there."

Continue reading the article online. You can also listen to the audio segment at the same link
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/07/19/massachusetts-only-glass-recycling-plant-closes

"The machines inside the Strategic Materials plant have remained quiet since the facility closed down in June."

For more about Strategic Materials  https://www.strategicmaterials.com/glass-recycling/

In the News: students sent kindness letters; Hopkinton opens outdoor ice rink ; Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A simple reading assignment turned into a one-hundred-fold act of kindness for a local group of young students. 

Fifth-grade students at Oak Street Elementary School decided last fall to send words of encouragement to lawmakers who work at the Statehouse. 

Each of the 100 “kindness letters” contains an inspiring quote hand-written by a student. 

“In this political climate, so many adults could benefit from these messages about listening, understanding, and accepting,” said teacher Heather Adams. “The impact it had on our state representatives is much bigger than what I imagined it would be.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/franklin-students-send-kindness-letters-to-statehouse

"Just before sunset Thursday, Mark Rhodes helped his 10-year-old son, Neil, lace up his skates at the town’s outdoor skating rink at Carrigan Park. 

“As soon as I get home from work he says, “Dad let’s go,’” Rhodes said. Word of the rink opening is spreading around town. 

Neil brought a hockey stick that he got about a year ago. 

“It’s really good ice and the rink is nice and big,” the fourth-grader at Hopkins school said. “You can play hockey on it.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/hopkintons-outdoor-skating-rink-now-open

"J.P. and Melynda Gallagher are brewing up something special for downtown.
Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting Company is expected to open this summer in the former Speakers nightclub at 19 Weed St., J.P. Gallagher said on Thursday. 

“We always wanted to be in Marlborough, both my wife and I were born and raised in Marlborough,” said Gallagher. 

Lost Shoe will be more than a brewery. It will also be a coffee roaster and coffee shop. J.P. Gallagher has been a long time homebrewer and recently graduated from the American Brewers Guild in Vermont. His wife Melynda recently completed a coffee roasting course at the Coffee Lab International School of Coffee, also in Vermont. 

The idea is to be an all-day business – Lost Shoe will open at 8 a.m. to serve coffee and the brewery will begin serving beer later in the day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180118/lost-shoe-to-brew-beer-roast-coffee-in-marlborough

Marlboro business opens brewing coffee and beer

Pour Richard's Beer Extravaganza - Sep 16 4-7 PM

What is a "Beer Extravaganza"?

30+ Beers and Ciders to sample, snacks, and hot music from local band Shift to Low. 

Saturday, September 16 4-7 PM. 

Free, but we are accepting donations to aid pets stranded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

If you haven't been to Pour Richard's you can find it at 14 Grove Street in Franklin

Pour Richard's Beer Extravaganza - Sep 16 4-7 PM

Visit Pour Richard's on the web at
https://pourrichardswine.com/content/beer-extravaganza-fall-edition-0

"Several factors led to the growth in the industry locally"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"When the Hendler brothers opened Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham six years ago, they started small, selling growlers to go and quickly added bottled beer .

Two years later, however, the business exploded when the state legalized taprooms, allowing Jack’s Abby to pour beers for their customers. 

That spurred a huge increase to Jack’s Abby’s customer base and bottom line. The Hendlers have since moved from Morton Street and opened a large beer hall and restaurant, as well as the Springdale Barrel Room, on Clinton Street. With the expansion, the company went from less than 10 employees to more than 100. 

Local breweries are a growing industry in MetroWest and the Milford region, which is now home to 10 breweries and brewpubs with two more on the way. And many local brewers say beer fans can expect more breweries in the coming years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170820/metrowest-beer-explosion

#shopFranklin features Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!





If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Visit Agway on Cottage St or visit them on the Internet at

http://www.franklinagway.com/

In the News: microbrewery tasting room moves forward; ABCC rule creates confusion

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A bylaw change that would allow local microbreweries or wineries to have tasting rooms is a step closer to reality. 

The Town Council is set to take up the measure in June after it received approval from the Planning Board at its May 22 meeting. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the board passed the change, but altered one aspect of the proposal - the square footage of a microbrewery’s facility that could be devoted to a tasting room. 

“What we had done originally is allow (a tasting room of) 33 percent of the square footage,” Hellen said. “The Planning Board scaled that back to a quarter.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170531/franklin-council-to-consider-microbreweries-bylaw

"It is a problem many craft beer drinkers run into – the buildup of a large collection of growlers they have purchased at the breweries they have visited. 

But, last week, the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission issued a new advisory, informing breweries they could fill any glass growler (typically a 64-ounce or 32-ounce jug) full of beer as long as the growler is completely blank with no labeling at all from another brewery. 

Although, generally in favor of the move, many MetroWest brewers say the new advisory is confusing and may wait before they start filling growlers other than their own. 

On Wednesday, members of the Mass. Brewer’s Guild – a trade organization for Massachusetts breweries – held a board of director’s meeting to discuss the new guidelines, said board member Keith Sullivan, co-owner of Medusa Brewing Company in Hudson."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170531/new-growler-laws-offer-confusion-to-local-brewers

Total Wine & More Launches New Statewide Campaign To Modernize Mass. Laws Governing Sale Of Beer, Wine And Spirits

Consumers First initiative to promote sensible changes to update and improve Commonwealth laws regulating beverage alcohol sales

Total Wine & More today announced the start of a new statewide information and awareness campaign to support sensible changes to update and modernize the laws governing the sale of beer, wine and spirits in Massachusetts.

The Consumers First initiative is a source of information and advocacy to enhance and improve the regulatory environment and structure around the beer, wine and spirits industry in a way that promotes savings and better serves consumers across Massachusetts.

“Total Wine & More has a long track record as a proven consumer ally, and this new Consumers First campaign will promote sensible and much needed updates to Massachusetts’ alcohol sale laws – some of which date back to Prohibition,” said Ed Cooper, Vice President, Public Affairs & Community Relations at Total Wine & More. “Our entire business is built on creating a first class customer experience while providing the best value and selection in beverage alcohol. We take great pride in all the ways we serve our customers, and advocating on their behalf and being an ally is another way of serving them.”

Massachusetts alcoholic beverage laws and regulations need reform. The laws regulating and governing beverage alcohol sales should better protect consumers’ best interests.

The Consumers First initiative will use information and advocacy to demonstrate that protecting and serving consumers should be the first priority. Examples of savings and conveniences that consumers in Massachusetts are being denied include access to the best possible retailer coupon and customer loyalty programs, as well as regulatory obstacles that prevent the lowest prices from being passed on to customers from bulk wholesale discounts.

“We believe all alcohol retailers in Massachusetts should be advocates for consumers. They should favor allowing new ways for consumers to save on beer, wine and spirits,” Cooper said. “The Consumers First initiative will help give people a voice in advocating for sensible reforms.”

For more information about the Consumers First initiative, visit massconsumersfirst.com. You can also like the campaign on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Total Wine & More Launches New Statewide Campaign To 

Modernize Mass. Laws Governing Sale Of Beer, Wine And Spirits

About Total Wine & More
Total Wine & More is America’s largest independent retailer of fine wine, beer and spirits with 158 stores in 20 states. A four-time national retailer of the year award winner, the company’s vast selection of products, combined with low everyday prices and expertly trained wine associates, provides a unique shopping experience for the customer. Since opening its first store in 1991, Total Wine & More has been committed to being the premier wine, beer and spirits retailer in every community that it serves. For more information about Total Wine & More please visit http://www.totalwine.com.

Horace Mann Middle School - Pour Richard's Fundraiser – Thursday, May 18

Wine/Beer Tasting social event to benefit Horace Mann Middle School PCC. $10 admission for a tasting of several different beers and wines. 

Pour Richard's will also donate a percentage of purchases made that night, and we will have some raffle items - tickets are $1 each.

If you can’t make it to the event, consider doing some shopping for any upcoming Memorial Day parties! 

All purchases made on Thursday, when you show the flyer (see below), will be counted in the purchases for our event. Pour Richard's is located at 14 Grove St. in Franklin.

Any questions? Please contact Terri Attinello at tattinello@msn.com.

Live reporting: Economic Development Committee Meeting - Mar 22, 2017

Present: Bissanti, Padula, Pfeffer, Vallee, Padula, Halligan
Kelly, Jones, Pellegri, Vozella, Gleason and 2 others


overview of proposal on brewery, distillery, or winery production with a tasting room

the innovation is in the manufacturing of the alcohol for sale; couldn't open something and serve Sam Adams

Bob Vozella, speaks to his operation along Union St
about 6,000 bottles produced by La Cantina thus far
quality grapes and care in the process, monitoring
sharing and seeing how it is made helps

Federal permit required for brewery, State effectively acknowledges the Fed license receipt

production license by ABCC
pouring license by Town Council

Tips training, manager of record would all be the same as other liquor license applications

Would this be standard hours or advertised for specific periods?

Would be required by Special Permit to address all the other zoning type issues, parking etc.

The tasting rooms start out 1-2 days four to five hours operation
the targeted audience for this doesn't stay late

the license would be site specific, it would be an overlay for several of the commercial districts
not for any of the residential districts

the special permit requirement is key for a number of reasons
you could have trucking for the manufacturing and for the retail (tasting) would require parking

the liquid could be made one place and sold elsewhere, but not by the manufacturer

motion made to recommend to Town COuncil to start the process

#shopFranklin: Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store (video)

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. 

We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!

If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store