Freehold Township announces plan to sell new liquor license for $1.3M

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee has agreed to issue another liquor consumption license, bringing the total number of restaurants that can sell alcoholic beverages in town up to 12.

The minimum bid for the license is $1.3 million. All prospective bidders must file an Alcoholic Beverage Control License Application form by 10 a.m. April 23 with township officials.

The township clerk publicly will announce the list of prequalified bidders at 10 a.m. April 27 at Town Hall, located at Schanck and Stillwells Corner roads.

Mayor Anthony Ammiano said liquor licenses have proven to be “a good revenue source” for the township.

The last license was sold for $1.1 million in March 2011 to Freehold Liquors LLC, which intended to run a restaurant in a Hotels Unlimited hotel but the lodging was never built.

In 2003, the township sold two licenses: one to Ruby Tuesday, located in Freehold Raceway Mall, for $1,013,000; and another for $1 million to Free Race Mall, LLC, a mall subsidiary that transferred the license to P.F. Chang’s China Bistro in 2007, township records show.

Ammiano said that two new restaurants are expected to be built at the intersection of Route 9 and Jackson Mills Road.

He anticipates one of those businesses may want to purchase the license.

All sealed bids must be received by 10 a.m. May 4. At that time, the clerk will open the bids and announce the winner.

The license is expected to go to the highest qualified bidder.

State law allows municipalities to issue one liquor consumption license for every 3,000 residents.

The 2010 Census figures determined there are 36,184 residents, allowing for an additional such license.

There are exceptions for hotels, such as the Radisson, which also has a liquor license.

The committee adopted the resolution Jan. 31, with the stipulation that the license holder must operate a restaurant or dining facility with at least 100 seats.