WINCHESTER - The Select Board during their final meeting of 2023 approved several licenses up for renewal (subject to compliance with staff requirements), as they do at the end of
Wicked Local
The long-awaited Heights Pub will open to customers by the end of July, according to representative Michael Bettencourt.
The Select Board awarded the pub s liquor license by on Monday, June 21, and had previously granted approval for a common victualler license. With renovations at 1314 Massachusetts Avenue wrapping up soon, the pub ownership is planning on having a soft opening by the middle of the summer. We are still waiting on final approval from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, and we have some final permitting to go through with with our new construction, but that is really it. We should be ready to open probably within the next month, Bettencourt said.
Betsy Levinson / Correspondent
winchester@wickedlocal.com
After a year of ups and downs responding to the state’s COVID restrictions, First House Pub chef and co-owner Jim O’Rourke feels back on his feet.
But a year ago when he was forced to close down the popular restaurant, O’Rourke had to furlough 90 percent of his staff and step into the chef’s role as he pivoted to takeout.
O’Rourke is no stranger to culinary work as he’s worked as a chef for more than 30 years before buying the First House Pub with partner Stephen Conley in 2015.
For the first six or eight weeks of the shutdown, it was takeout only.