Haverhill couple Dana Michelle Perry and Salvatore Defranco won approval from the Haverhill License Commission for a beer and wine license for the forthcoming Battle Grounds Coffee Co., Washington Street.
Architect’s vision of the former Surplus Office Supply building, Washington Street, downtown.
Where there were once haphazard pilings of dented filing cabinets, desks, chairs and used office equipment, a new-age coffee shop will emerge this summer.
The Haverhill License Commission granted the first of several licenses Thursday night to the new Battle Grounds Coffee Co., in the former Surplus Office Supply storefront at 39 Washington St. Battle Grounds Coffee will be owned by a soon-to-be-married Haverhill couple, Dana Michelle Perry and Salvatore Defranco.
Defranco, who will serve as manager, told license commissioners the coffee shop plans to open at 6 a.m. and operate until 8 or 9 p.m., each day. It will seat 38 patrons, serving coffee and specialty foods during the day and offer beer and wine later in the day. The license commission granted a new beer and wine license, which must still be approved the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Perry and Defranco will also return to the city for additional permits by opening date for health, dining and entertainment permits.
The building is currently being redeveloped by 37 Washington LLC and will contain 18 market-rate housing unit, known as J.M. Lofts, within the upper three floors. Battle Grounds Coffee will occupy one of several storefronts on the first floor.
Perry and Defranco had originally selected a storefront on Wingate Street, but were alerted to the more visible Washington Street property by Noah Koretz, a MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) fellow temporarily hired to help downtown Haverhill.