Daily Harvest Cafe Wins Beer and Wine License From Town

Pending the approval of state liquor authorities, Daily Harvest Cafe in Danvers should be serving beer and wine in the coming months.

Owner and manager Brittany Raesly was one of four applicants for the single beer and wine restaurant license held by the town and appeared before the Board of Selectmen Tuesday to state her case.

Selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask said only three applicants actually appeared before the board that evening -- Kelly's Roast Beef didn't complete the application process -- and all three appeared to be good candidates.

Ultimately, he said, it came down to Raesly's reputation and activity in the community since she first opened Daily Harvest six years ago at 103 High St. He noted board members have patronized the cafe and are well familiar with the business model operation there.

The town also sort of gave Raesly permission four years ago when Town Meeting approved a request for a home rule petition to the state legislature that would have created a beer and wine license specifically for the cafe at that location.

Raesly said at the time she couldn't afford to pay the high prices licenses often trade for and sought to sell organic wine and locally brewed beers. Nothing ever came of the home rule petition though.

The restaurant's Facebook page shared the news following Tuesday's vote with a simple word of thanks: "Looking forward to what is ahead for DHC! Thank you to everyone for your support and sharing our excitement."

The other two restaurants in addition to Daily Harvest at Tuesday's hearing were the new Holten Street Cafe, which hasn't opened yet, and Happy Garden Chinese & Japanese Restaurant, which opened several months ago.

Trask said the plan presented for Daily Harvest is to conduct all alcohol sales at the counter along with food orders, only staff 21 or older will handle alcohol transactions and service (they'll be TIPS certified), install a gate for the existing outdoor patio to control access, and drinks will be served at patrons' tables.

Raesly told the board the intent is to serve some gluten-free beers, a glass of wine with dinner, etc. that would complement the healthier food selections the cafe generally has on its menu.

This particular license was turned back to the town by Ted Londi, who recently sold his Water Street business (Londi's Roast Beef) and had never incorporated alcohol into the operation.

Compared to the $50,000 or more she would have likely had to pay at market value, Raesley only owes the town of Danvers $2,100 for the license.

According to Town Clerk Joe Collins, the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission tends to turn around applications within 30 days if there are no issues to res