News

No alcohol at the inn New management hits liquor license snag

By Judy Wakefield
Staff writer
Published: February 28, 2008

The new menu at Andover Inn has earned a local chef rave reviews from the Phillips Academy dining community. But diners cannot sip wine or order any other alcoholic beverages with their meals.

The inn's $4,500 liquor license has not been transferred to the new chef/manager, Matthew Morello.

The president of the former management team at the Inn — Oates & Bredfeldt of Brattleboro, Vt. — faxed a letter to numerous town officials and the Police Department on Wednesday, Feb. 20, announcing the next-day closing of the upscale inn "... due to circumstances beyond our control."

Howard J. Levitan, president of Oates & Bredfeldt, wrote the letter, which also said the bar manager "locked up all alcoholic beverages in the basement of the Inn, pending our decision to transfer or relinquish the liquor license."

He could not be reached for further comment.

Meanwhile, Phillips Academy confirmed the two-day closure of Andover Inn, but a spokeswoman said the inn reopened Saturday, Feb. 23, without the liquor license. The temporary shutdown affected at least two groups — the Service Club and the Rotary Club — both of which had breakfast meetings scheduled for the morning of Friday, Feb. 22. Both meetings were moved to the Lanam Club.

Tracy Sweet, director of Academy Communications, said the inn's liquor license situation is "still pending."

Morello, an Andover native, is managing the restaurant with his wife, Alison Sudhalter.

Their company, Morello Hospitality Group, took over the Andover Inn restaurant operation in January. They "received stellar reviews for their new menu and the inn's overall dining experience," according to a statement from Phillips Academy.

"Due to that success and their business management experience, the Morello Group is now in charge of both the restaurant and the inn," Sweet said.

Phillips Academy may be excited about the management transition, but Town Clerk Randy Hansen explained that selectmen have to approve the change. And the board has to approve all liquor license transfers. The board is expected to take up this issue at its next meeting on March 3.

Hansen said records show Oates & Bredfeldt still have the lease at the inn and the company paid the $4,500 for the liquor license, so it belongs to them.