Zem Han 'Needs a Liquor License to Survive'

Based on feedback popping up on Facebook and review pages,which opened only weeks ago in the center of Northborough, is wonderful.

The family-style restaurant serves eclectic Mediterranean cuisine.

But for now, there's no booze.

Owner Yuri Krasnov said that's definitely affecting business, and he and his partner are in the process of applying for a liquor license. This takes a few steps, one of which was approved at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting last week.

When a new zoning bylaw was adopted in 2009, restaurants that serve alcohol i the downtown business district were required to obtain a special permit from the ZBA.

"This provides the board the opportunity to review the site plan, if the building is new, and also allows for the board to review parking," said Town Planner Kathy Joubert.

The applicant then must also obtain a liquor license from the Board of Selectmen, which Krasnov plans to do.

"We can see the negative impact it says that we don't have liquor," said Krasnov. "About 20 percent of the people find out we don't have it and they just walk away. The liquor license would definitely help pay the bills."

Zem Han has about 110 seats, and a portion of the space is designated for a bar.

"We are trying to make it more like a family restaurant, but we have to have [the liquor license] to survive," said Krasnov.