Selectmen Discuss Chocolate Therapy, Alcoholic Beverages at Brunch and Dedham Square Parking

The discussed a variety subjects during Thursday night's meeting. Here are a few notable discussions and votes:

Brunch Provisions

The Board of Selectmen approved the first three brunch provisions, which will allow restaurants to serve alcohol before the current noon start time. The restaurants involved are , Sagra and Yardhouse.

Steve Dubinksy, General Manager of Aquitaine said that guests often come in and want a drink with brunch. Aquitaine offers a brunch menu from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dubinksy said that guests are sometimes confused or annoyed that they would have to wait to order alcoholic beverages with their meals. 

“Basically this will increase the revenue and make our guests happy,” Dubinsky said. 

Sagra also requested and received a 10 a.m. brunch provision. The restaurant currently starts serving brunch at 11 a.m., but owner George Tavares said Sagra could bring back the time when the provision goes into effect. 

Yardhouse, located in Legacy Place, has a brunch menu and will now be able to serve alcohol at 11 a.m.

Chair Sarah MacDonald said the board is trying to spread out the provisions so they don't have to do them all at one meeting.  

Chocolate Therapy

Chocolate lovers in Dedham and surrounding communities will be very excited about a new addition to . On Thursday night, the Board of Selectman voted unanimously to approve a Common Victualler’s License for Chocolate Therapy, which will open next to .

Owner David Griffin explained that Chocolate Therapy is a new kind of chocolate shop dedicated to providing locally-produced chocolates with innovative flavors. The shop will also offer a variety of hot chocolates and cocoa based teas. 

Griffin noted that chocolate not only has "feel good properties," but is packed with anti-oxidants and has been known to help prevent heart disease and circulatory problems. He called it “the next super food.”

“Treat your body and soothe your soul,” said Griffin.

The Board was interested to learn more about the shop and seemed pleased with the direction it seems to be heading. 

“This brings a unique type of business to Legacy Place,” said Selectman Mike Butler.

Griffin also said that he is excited to work with local suppliers and the Dedham community. He is working to open the store before Easter, but has not set a specific date. Griffin hopes the Dedham store will be first of many in the area. 

Dedham Square Parking

In an effort to help with parking in, the Board of Selectmen voted to stop permit parking in the municipal lot after this year. This will essentially free up 120 spaces, which are currently going for only an annual fee of $100.

Selectman Mike Butler explained that in recent discussions there has been a lot of focus on signals, traffic patterns and parking regarding the .

He explained that the municipal lot currently has two sections. One is an unrestricted section and the other is restricted, which is where the is held each year. The proposed Dedham Square Improvement Project includes plans to renovate both sections, which will decrease in the overall number of spaces.

By using these spaces which are for permits, it will allow for approximately 80 more spaces. The board also agreed that it is in everyone’s best interest to hear feedback from those affected, so they know the loss of spaces is causing a negative impact. However, they also agreed it's time to make this move.

“I think it’s time for us to say goodbye to this lot,” said Selectman Carmen DellaIacono.

For more on this week's Board of Selectmen meeting, check out our full article .