Bedford is not ready for “eatertainment,” at least not from a regulatory perspective.
Now the Bedford Planning Board is ready to collaborate with other units of local government to see what it would take to open that door.
One expert defines eatertainment as “a dining experience that provides not only food but also a fun and lively setting.” Planning Director Tony Fields said an alternative label is “experiential retail.”
Fields told the board at its virtual meeting last week that months ago, a couple of entrepreneurs made some inquiries to landlords about possibly converting vacant Bedford retail space into eatertainment venues.
The director said he joined former Economic Development Director Jeff King and Code Enforcement Director Chris Laskey to advise “that we can’t do that. And those entities ended up in other locations.”
Board members last week were amenable to adding the subject to their fiscal 2025 goals list. “I would hope to see something going on so we are not just about housing,” Chair Todd Crowley said.
“There is a variety of new businesses out there that offer everything from shuffleboard to the full-scale Dave and Buster’s with multiple games — darts, mini golf. And the patrons are literally wandering the facility with alcohol and that doesn’t fit the New England Puritan philosophy with alcohol,” Fields commented.
“The question is how willing is the town to accept these types of businesses to help fill some of the vacancies.”
Bedford, like most towns, requires that consumers have to be seated when consuming alcohol, and after two drinks, such beverages must be accompanied by food. Those regulations are in the purview of the Select Board. Also, Fields noted, the business zone doesn’t include commercial recreation as a permitted use.
“We would have to change alcohol policy besides the zoning bylaw,” Fields continued. “And that’s a discussion we started to have” with other departments.
Crowley acknowledged that “we are very restrictive, like most towns. The question is how much we want to relax the restrictions.”
Member Chris Gittins commented, “The logistics of how we work with the responsible and consulting parties has to be sorted out.”
In an interview after the meeting, Fields enumerated some possible eatertainment components: arcade games, miniature golf, darts, ping pong, shuffleboard, bocce, cornhole, and axe throwing. “Alcohol and appetizers are served throughout,” he said. Customers “are allowed to walk around with their drinks.”
Crowley said the discussion needs data from other cities and towns. “So at least let’s get to the parties to sound them out, at least on the economic side of things.” He added, “For this year it’s data gathering.”
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