Making room for family fun

A party rental business has space and logistical issues to solve before it can open a function hall on Hamilton Street

  Fidel Flores wants to expand his East Boston party rental business to Saugus by opening up a function hall at 36 Hamilton St. to host wedding receptions, baby showers, graduation parties and other family-oriented events. Flores has big plans for the business he wants to open up in the 7-Eleven plaza across the street from the Public Safety Building. He envisions being able to handle family gatherings of up to 100 people within a 1,200 square foot area – half of the space previously occupied by La Vita Mia restaurant.

  But town officials say Flores Party Rentals may have to pare down its plans to meet building, health and fire and safety codes. “I don’t think we have an issue with setting up a function hall. We want to help you,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta said at last week’s (June 23) Selectman’s meeting

  “But there are things holding us back,” Panetta said.

  For starters, there is the issue of parking: Flores Party Rentals has yet to present a parking plan. There is also the issue of bathroom space. The town requires one bathroom for every 49 people. That means an extra bathroom would need to be built if Flores still wants to accommodate up to 100 people. He would also need to consider that building a second bathroom would cut back on space and potentially affect the occupancy.

  “I just don’t know how you are going to fit 80 to 100 people in that small area,” Panetta said.

  During the early morning meeting with Flores, his business associates and interpreter, selectmen also broached other potential issues which prompted them to continue the hearing to the board’s July 12 meeting. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano and other officials suggested that Flores consider building a small bar and kitchen preparation area.

  Health Director John Fralick said Flores might have to cut his function hall down to 900 feet to make room for a kitchen or food preparation area. “You would need a place to accommodate your caterers,” Fralick said.

  “There’s a lot of things involved and definitely some homework to be done. It’s feasible, but not at the size you want,” he said.

  Cogliano said the business should consider a small bar because of the logistical problems associated with holding events where alcohol is served. “You would need a temporary liquor license,” Cogliano said. “Every time you have an event, you come back to the board for a license. We have to have control over businesses who serve alcohol. We can require them to have details,” he said.

  Cogliano said Flores needed to apply for an entertainment license, too, if it were providing music and entertainment.

  Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree advised Flores to talk to inspectional services and various town departments as he proceeds with his business plans. “Figure out what your restrictions are,” Crabtree said.

  “And then figure out what’s your strategic business plan moving forward,” he said.

  Fralick stressed that Flores needs to do some additional research about how his business should proceed. “As far as what you’re doing, we won’t have a problem in getting you going.

[This is] something you need to do a little more homework on,” Fralick said.

  He noted that Flores needs to think about the pros and cons of a full-time food establishment vs. a temporary one. “It may be in your best interests to go a little bigger. It will be extremely tight,” he said.

  Flores said he has been in the business for about eight years and has been going to people’s homes where they host the parties.