FROED One Government Center Fall River, MA 02722-7700 Tel 508-324-2620 Fax 508-677-2840 info@froed.org		FIRST TIME RESTAURANTEURS SNAG ONE OF CITY’S SPECIAL LIQUOR LICENSES The Herald News, Friday, August 22, 2008 - Page A1 Fall River — A couple who lost the jobs they’d worked for a combined 50-plus years embraced a new opportunity through a city innovation. It will be called Bella Restaurant. For Mario and Isabel Pavao of 405 Langley St., their eatery at 19 Sullivan Drive by Government Center — where Cantina Café and others have tried and fallen short — also will have a full alcohol license. That’s the result of the city Licensing Board in May approving 10 special liquor licenses in a designated economic development zone. The city-owned alcohol licenses do not require purchases that typically run tens of thousands of dollars. Before the Licensing Board Wednesday night unanimously approved the Pavao’s license, the couple, originally from Sao Miguel in the Azores, told of their recent hardships. A year ago, Mario lost his job of 27 years as a machine operator at Belcher Corp. in Easton. The company moved its operations to Alabama. Bella, more recently, lost her job of nearly 25 years at CHF Industries when the nationally known city curtain manufacturer relocated the plant and laid off the last 200 of its workers. The Pavaos, parents of two grown daughters, Tara and Kelly, have long cooked Portuguese foods and deserts and will work in the restaurant full time. “I’m going to try my dessert recipes from St. Michael’s. Every time I go to St. Michael’s I bring a new recipe to try,” said Bella, holding her new dog, Lady, whom she rescued from homelessness. Mario has been a chef for 11 years at New Bedford’s Madeira feast. He talked about the codfish, tuna and Portuguese lunch sandwiches they plan to serve. Bella said, “It’s something we’ve talked about for a long time. We wanted the right place.” They believe the courthouse opening will be a boost. Their hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. They will serve lunch and dinner. They also aim to carve a niche with after-dinner pastries, coffee and cordials, said John Saulino, Licensing Board chairman. “They’re like the ideal case, taking a chance,” Saulino said of the downtown opportunity the Correia administration and the board envisioned when establishing the licenses in May. They’re the second group to gain local approval. The first included Bella Pavao’s brother, Leo Souza, an owner of the Raw Martini who’s a partner in a new venture slated to open on Third Street called Vintage Wine & Tapas. Both new liquor licenses are pending approval by the state Alcohol Beverage and Control Commission. The new license holders would pay a pro-rated portion this year of the $3,500 annual liquor license fee. The licenses include common victualer permits. “These are kind of creative projects. Hopefully, they’ll encourage others to take this step,” Saulino said. The designated area spans the recently created arts overlay district in the downtown and waterfront areas, expanding farther to Columbia Street, west to Pearl Street and south of Ferry Street to Bradford Avenue. The Pavao’s plan to spend about $30,000 to renovate the 1,000-square-foot first floor of the four-story Academy Building. The large open room would contain the bar and would seat up to 36 people. There would also be a kitchen, two bathrooms and storage downstairs. They hope to open in October, but are uncertain. “There are a lot of things to do,” the husband said, gesturing toward the kitchen they will build. “I felt happy,” his wife said of their approval for a restaurant and liquor license. “It’s my husband’s dream. He loves to cook.” Back