Maria and Paul Freddura, owners of The Daily Catch restaurant, presented a petition at the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) November meeting to transfer a license currently held by The Daily Catch at 2 Northern Avenue to 65 Atlantic Ave.
The Freddura’s seek to transfer their existing beer and wine license from their restaurant in the Seaport to a new Daily Catch in the North End Waterfront at the existing Golden Goose Cafe location. The proposal includes installation of a bar service counter, awnings/signage, increase of occupancy from 48 seats to 50-60 and seasonal patio dining on private property.
NEWNC voted unanimously to support the petition.
Watch the full video above and follow along with this timeline.
(1:11) The Daily Catch moved to the Seaport in 1983 for 20 years at 261 Northern Avenue. Then the Daily Catch was at the Moakley Courthouse for 16 years. That tenancy ended in October. They have been looking for a new home in the Seaport unsuccessfully for over year. They have a license that is not currently making any money and so have come upon the opportunity at 65 Atlantic Ave.
Freddura acknowledges that they already have a Daily Catch in the North End on Hanover Street that opened as an eatery in 1979. After giving it some thought, the family feels Hanover Street is in the center of the North End while Atlantic Avenue is on the waterfront, so they are separate enough to co-exist. They do still hope to return to the Seaport in the future.
(3:24) The Fredduras are negotiating with the seller, the previous tenant, and the trustees of the building. The trustees would actually like them to take over the entire space which also includes Laser Enhanced Therapies. If that business were to retire or close, that could be an option in the future.
(4:27) The license that would be transferred is for beer, wine, and cordials and Maria Freddura stated they are not interested in having a full liquor license.
(5:56) Freddura would like to be open until midnight on the weekends, acknowledging that in the winter they may closer earlier. Sunday – Thursday closing would be at 11 p.m. and Friday – Sunday at midnight. The patio would close an hour before closing.
(8:09) The patio would be open April through October, as defined by the city.
(8:36) Damien DiPaola from the NEWNC council spoke positively about The Daily Catch, reiterating that it’s a family-run business.
(9:16) The outside patio would be the cobblestone area (Lewis St.) that is adjacent to the Golden Goose Market. The area would be roped off and all furniture would be easily removed should there be an emergency.
(10:23) Ashley Leo from the Council also said she looks forward to The Daily Catch moving in and is happy that it is a local business.
(11:25) Maria Simboli, NEWNC Sergeant at Arms, expressed concerns about cleanup in the outdoor space. Freddura emphasized that they are clean owners and would actually be improving that space. They would do a landscaping project and bring vitality to that small passageway.
Questions from the audience begin at 13:52.
(14:40) One attendee asked what will happen if the Daily Catch eventually moves out, will there be another community process? Maria Lanza from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Service clarified that if a new operator were to change the space significantly, including change of use, there would be a new process. This includes increased occupancy or change of hours. If someone were taking it over, but not making any changes, it would go to a non-hearing and not before the neighborhood groups.
(16:52) A resident from 63 Atlantic Ave. expressed concerns about the hours of operation, stating that it’s a residential neighborhood that shuts down quite early. She would like to see the Daily Catch close at 10 p.m. She also requested that, should the transfer go through, the owners be careful about smells and rats.
Freddura responded that most of downtown Boston is considered mixed-use and that the Daily Catch will be an amenity to the neighborhood. Vice President Pregmon reminded attendees that the Sail Loft, located just across the street, is open until 2 a.m. on the weekends.
(20:38) Another resident from 63 Atlantic Ave. (Prince Building) asked if there’s any way to monitor drunk individuals. Freddura responded that if people show up drunk they don’t get served, and that if a bartender is a good bartender, they won’t let patrons get drunk.
(21:51) A representative from the Prince Building Trustees stated that the Fredduras met with them earlier to go over some of their concerns. The Trustees do not oppose the transfer of the license or the opening of The Daily Catch and hope they will be good neighbors.
If everything is agreed between the parties, Daily Catch will be on the next Licensing Board agenda in December and potentially open in early February.
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