Cranford is accepting applications for a new retail consumption license with theater exception.

PUBLIC NOTICETOWNSHIP OF CRANFORDCRANFORD, NEW JERSEYAUTHORIZING THE RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A NEW PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE WITH THEATER EXCEPTION (NO. 37)(as per State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Amended Advisory Notice AN 2026-02, Ordinance No. 2025-26, adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Cranford on December 2, 2025 and Resolution No. 2025-418, adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Cranford on December 16, 2025)TAKE NOTICE THAT the Township Committee of the Township of Cranford has determined that it is in the best interests of the Township of Cranford to accept applications for a new ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control)) Plenary Retail Consumption License with a Theater Exception (No. 37) as authorized by Resolution No. 2025-418, Township Committee of the Township of Cranford on December 16, 2025; andTake NOTICE THAT  N.J.S.A. 33:1-19, et seq. permits a Governing Body to issue new licenses and accept applications from interested parties; and TAKE NOTICE THAT the Governing Body shall utilize what is commonly known as the historical method to evaluate the applicants to determine whether their proposal is in the best public interest; andTAKE NOTICE THAT all interested applicants will submit complete applications and pay all required fees (including a $200.00 fee to the State of New Jersey (the State requires a certified check or money order payable to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control) and a $2,000.00 fee payable to the Township of Cranford). All applicants will be required to publish a public notice two times of their intent to apply for the license and the proposed licensed premises. At a public hearing, each applicant will be evaluated by the Governing Body and a number of factors will be considered including the intended use of the license, location, traffic, aesthetics, proximity to churches and schools, land use provisions, ratable impact, community needs, parking and business experience.1. All applicants must qualify to hold an interest in a Plenary Retail Consumption License in accordance with the standards set forth in the Alcohol Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq. and the regulations adopted thereunder N.J.A.C. 13:2-1.1 et. seq.2. The successful applicant shall have an interest in an art-house movie theater or community theater.3. All applications shall be sealed and shall be accompanied by a check made payable to the Township of Cranford and the State of New Jersey in the amount of the required fees (including a $200.00 fee to the State of New Jersey (the State requires a certified check or money order payable to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control) and a $2,000.00 fee payable to the Township of Cranford)). All applicants shall execute a certification that the applicant knows of no reason why the applicant would be disqualified from holding an interest in a retail liquor license in the State of New Jersey and the applicant complies with all of the conditions and requirements set forth in this Notice. During the Township of Cranford’s background investigation, applicants will be requested to provide the documents requested on Exhibit A, State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Amended Advisory Notice AN 2026-02.4. All applicants for the license shall apply by submitting to the Township Clerk a full and complete 12-page ABC retail license application form, a separately sealed envelope and the applicant’s fees and the certification (referenced in 3 above).  The last date and time that applications will be accepted shall be Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 108, Cranford Municipal Building, 8 Springfield Avenue.  All applicants must qualify no later than five business day prior to the opening of the applications. No additional applications will be accepted after Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.5. The Township Clerk will publicly announce those applicants who presumptively meet the qualifications for applying, as fixed by law, rules and regulations and resolution, five days prior to the public hearing.6. All ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control)) Plenary Retail Consumption License with a Theater Exception (No. 37) applications will be opened by the Township Clerk and the Qualified Purchasing Agent on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cranford Township Municipal Building, Room 108, Township of Cranford, 8 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey, 07016.7.  The Township reserves the right to reject all applications if an application is not    accepted.8.  Public Hearing on the applications received to be determined.9. The applications should be enclosed in an opaque sealed envelope, plainly marked:“Township of Cranford ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control)) Plenary Retail Consumption License with a Theater Exception (No. 37) application”and shall show the name and address of the applicant. Applications may be hand delivered to the Clerk’s Office in the Township Building or may be forwarded by personal service, certified mail, U.S. Post and other mail delivery services.  The sealed envelope containing the application and marked as directed above, must be enclosed in another envelope properly addressed as follows:Patricia DonahueApril 23rd ABC Plenary Retail Consumption License Application OpeningTownship ClerkTownship of CranfordMunicipal Building8 Springfield AvenueCranford, New Jersey 07016Patricia DonahueTownship ClerkTownship of Cranford8 Springfield AvenueCranford, New Jersey 07016p-donahue@cranfordnj.org2 T - 03/12, 3/19/26, The Leader        				  Fee: $267.24