NORTH READING — In 2021, the North Reading Select Board authorized Board Policy 1.21 establishing a rule that anyone who serves, takes orders for or delivers alcohol must have an approved alcohol server training program certificate, commonly known as TIPS, removing a 30-day grace period for servers and sellers.
Policy 1.21 also established a Compliance Check Auditor to complete random checks of all 18 year-round outlets and three seasonal outlets in North Reading throughout the year.
The intention of this policy is to prevent underage alcohol buying and serving in town. In addition, the Board has encouraged businesses to partner with the North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition to provide up-to-date education to employees and partner on science-based methods and activities to prevent violations.
These activities are entirely sponsored by the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program, the town’s federal substance use prevention grant. Additional compliance checks may also be completed throughout the year by the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission or North Reading Police Department.
DFC Director Amy Luckiewicz is happy to report that the 2025 first quarter compliance checks yielded no violations. “This was the ninth compliance check since 2021 and the North Reading Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition wishes to thank the North Reading businesses for helping to keep kids safe,” she said.
The 18 restaurants, clubs and liquor stores who were in 100 percent compliance with this alcohol audit are: China Cuisine, Christopher’s Market, Convenience Plus, Eastgate Liquors, Ginger Gourmet, Hopothecary Ales, Horseshoe Grille, Joe’s Kwik Mart, Kitty’s, Lucky Mart, Mario’s, Moose Lodge 1511, New England Beverage, One Stop Liquors, Ryer’s, Sports, Spirits & Steaks, Teresa’s Prime/Grille 19, and Ultra Chic at the Hillview.
Luckiewicz notes that the three seasonal license holders in town – Thomson Country Club iGrill and Pro Shop and the Hillview golf course – were not checked in the first quarter of 2025 as they are not currently operating.
Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician services available
The North Reading Community Impact Team also wishes to remind the entire community that the CIT has a full-time Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician, Laura Miranda, for people to contact if they need assistance with alcohol dependance or any other substance use or mental health need.
To connect with Laura Miranda call 978-357-5038 or email at lmiranda@nrpd.org.