Fact-finding meeting focuses on Karma Lounge operations

The City and the License Board were scheduled to hold a fact-finding meeting on the operations of the Karma Lounge Boston on Ferry Street in Glendale Square.
The License Board has had frequent hearings over issues at the Karma Lounge, and was slate to discuss on Monday some police reports from early June regarding the establishment. However, that meeting was postponed in favor of the community meeting Tuesday night, which came after Independent deadlines.
Apparently, there have been more police reports involving the establishment lately, and also reports of 3-1-1 complaints from neighbors about operations there. The meeting is to hear all sides, and will allow public input.
“Karma Lounge Boston came to Everett in the summer of 2018 with many promises of a relaxed Hookah lounge environment,” said the mayor. “Over the past few years, their plans, environment, and business plan has strayed. I am determined to resolve the issues that this establishment brings to our community while listening to stories of residents and what they experienced at Karma Lounge. Everett is a safe, welcoming city that has no tolerance for the behavior exhibited by this establishment.”
License Board Chair Phil Antonelli said they have had many issues in the past and are looking to find out what is happening now at Karma.
“We want to tighten up what’s going on there,” he said.
Attorney Mark Rotondo, who represents Karma Lounge, said his client will cooperate with the License Board as he has done since opening.
“My client has been called to the License Board for a meeting,” said Rotondo. “As he has done in the past, he has been forthright with the License Board. He runs a very respectable business, has made a significant investment in the city, and wants to contribute to the economic vitality of the City of Everett.”
The meeting was to be held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. Those to be in attendance were Mayor DeMaria, Code Enforcement, License Board members, Everett Police, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC).