Marlborough committee approves Flying Dreams parking-space seating, trims Lost Shoe request

MARLBOROUGH -- May 14, 2025, Marlborough committee backs Flying Dreams parking-space seating, guts Lost Shoe weekend plan. The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee on May 14 voted 3-0 to send Flying Dreams Brewing's request to use four Rawlins Avenue parking spaces from May through November 2025 to the city solicitor for license-to-encroach language covering the spaces and DPW-housed jersey barriers. Owner David Richardson called his taproom "the least visible business in all of downtown." On a second request from Lost Shoe Brewing and Roasting's Melinda Gallagher, who said the brewery would otherwise need more than 70 one-day pouring permits against a state cap of 30, the committee voted 2-1 to forward only the Court Street garage sidewalk portion, dropping standing Friday-through-Sunday use of Weed Street and the new City Hall courtyard. Councillor Fricillo opposed, preferring an "all or nothing" version for the full council.