The ABCC reviewed the case, and denied the appeal.

They will have to serve the sentence handed down by the Board of Selectmen of not serving alcohol for 30 days.

From the Sun:

The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission handed down the decision Monday against Dracut Center Convenience at 1388 Bridge St.

Dracut Center Convenience had appealed to the ABCC after selectmen slapped store owners with a 42-day liquor-license suspension in June for selling alcohol to someone under 21 — the shop’s second offense within two years.

“I think it’s a great decision,” Selectmen Chairman George Malliaros said. “I’m thrilled by it. I’m really pleased that the ABCC saw fit to support our judgment. Certainly, the punishment we meted out was more than warranted for such flagrant actions. Serving minors on more than one occasion within that time frame is totally unacceptable.”

I am sort of surprised by the defense argument, that seemed to want to have local businesses notified ahead of time that sting operations may be in effect.

Kevin Murphy, the lawyer for Dracut Center Convenience, argued that the suspension should be thrown out because the town needs to have a policy on alcohol sting operations and advertise the sting operations in the same way police often advertise sobriety checkpoints.

Any businesses that sell alcohol, let me help you out. We’ll be having a sting this year, maybe more than one. Oh, and next year too. Get it?

Tony and Ann’s seems to be settling in now on Broadway. Yesterday, there were no huge crowds and you could get to the place.

See the Lowell Sun article promoting the new restaurant.

The new owners were on 980 WCAP radio on Monday afternoon, (thanks to the commenter who dropped me that note) and I got the clip so that we could all hear the interview again.

Give the place a try.. now that you can get in. Its great to see a new business in town.

 

 Owners of Tony and Ann's on WCAP [17:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

DRACUT — Jeff Perry makes a mean corned beef hash. His three-egg omelets, breakfast sandwiches and eggs benedict are to die for. And the fluffy pancakes he flips on the griddle are as big as the plate they come on, four to a stack.

Breakfast is the meal of the day at JP’s Diner and Grill, which Perry opened in September with Michelle Ragone, his friend and business partner.

“It’s a dream come true for me — I always wanted a small place,” said Perry, a graduate of the culinary arts program at Newbury College and a longtime caterer.

They both work full-time jobs — he is on the 3-to-11 shift in corrections at the Tewksbury Hospital and she works as credit manager for Majilite Corporation in Dracut. But when he saw the vacant space last summer on Craigslist, he couldn’t resist, called her and they signed the lease.

The building, on Tyngsboro Road across the street from Lake Mascuppic, is the former Deb’s Place. It had been vacant for several years.

They bought equipment, then painted and redecorated the 30-seat place with a Western theme. It opened Sept. 5.

“We’re doing breakfast now and will add lunch, more hours and hopefully soft-serve and ice cream in the spring,” said Ragone, who handles the books and helps in the kitchen each weekend.

Perry has earned a reputation for his homemade corned beef hash, made with big briskets he boils for hours then shreds and seasons. He also makes hash browns and home fries from scratch.

“Nothing is canned or frozen. We checked breakfast places out before we opened and discovered most of them use canned hash. I make my own,” said Perry.

“It’s incredible hash and the only place I come for breakfast where I can’t finish my food, there’s so much,” said Steve Silk of North Andover.

Hash, served with two eggs, home fries or hash browns and toast is $6.95. Eggs benedict are $6.50. Pancakes are $4 for four huge ones, or $4.50 for blueberry, strawberry, banana or chocolate chip and whipped cream toppings.

Texas-style French toast is $4.75, as is a large Belgian waffle. Omelets start at $4 for a basic three-egg and cheese. Add veggies like spinach, pepper, mushrooms, onions, black olives, jalapenos, potatoes or tomatoes at $1.50 for two.

The Wrangler, featuring three eggs, three strips of bacon, three sausage links, three pancakes, home fries and toast is $7.75 and more than enough for two.

A variety of breakfast sandwiches ($2.50-$5.75), eggs ($3-$6.50) and sides ($.75-$5) rounds out the menu. Bottomless cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate are $1.

A children’s and catering menu are available.

JP’s Diner, 361 Tyngsboro Road, Dracut, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m.-noon for breakfast. Expanded hours and lunch menu in April. 978-674-0132.