EASTHAMPTON — The city’s last available liquor license — lost in December by the Polish Pulaski Club of Easthampton for thousands in unpaid taxes — has been awarded to James Crawford, owner of the newly opened Chickadee Karaoke Rooms.

Crawford said he was happy to secure the license, having started renovating the space at 24 Cottage St. more than a year ago before opening last month. He plans to use the license to serve prepackaged alcoholic beverages, and nonalcoholic drinks.

“It’s something that people are looking to do for nightlife,” Crawford said about his business after receiving the license. “While nightlife is not our only clients, we’re also looking to give an experience for families in the afternoon, people have expectations about going out at night and what their options are for alcohol.”

As for the Pulaski Club, Board President Candy Laflam said losing the license is a setback for the pub and entertainment hall located at 79 Maple St. as it pursues a restart after closing in December. The city’s Licensing Board denied the club’s liquor license renewal because the club owed more than $36,000 in back city property taxes as of December last year.

Laflam told the Gazette Tuesday that the club secured a loan on June 26 and has paid off all of its immediate debt. She said that as of now, the club is in compliance with the city and state to secure a new license, when one is available. Laflam declined to say the loan amount.

A member of the city’s collections office told the Gazette Tuesday that the club still owes roughly $5,300 from fiscal years 2026 and 2027, a figure that Laflam contests. According to the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, the club had paid approximately $59,000 previously owed in state meals taxes as of July 13.

“It is 100% our intention to reopen,” Laflam said in an interview Tuesday. “We have money in the bank. We have paid off everything to get us in compliance with the state and city.”

A representative with the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) confirmed that the Pulaski Club officially lost its license on Dec. 31. According to the state license application process, renewal must be applied for before Nov. 30 each year. There is a five-day appeal period to submit a late application if the deadline is missed. The Pulaski Club did not submit an appeal last year after being rejected, according to the ABCC.

Mayor Salem Derby told representatives of the Pulaski Club at that time that the city could hold the license for the club if they set up a tax payment plan. However, the club had already lost the license, according to state guidelines.

Unfortunately, Laflam said to the Gazette, that between the time the loan was secured and the July 13 meeting when the license was awarded to Chickadee, there wasn’t enough time to submit all the materials needed for a new liquor license application.

In the meantime, Laflam said the club will host some programming, including a community painting event slated for August. She said community members will be welcomed to paint sections of the stockade fencing outside the club. Additionally, she said the club is welcoming people to host events at the venue, and the club will try to secure different one-day liquor licenses for select occasions.

“We still are intending to open. We’re working around this setback and hopefully (reopen) this fall or as quickly as possible,” Laflam said.

The city, meanwhile, is lobbying the Legislature to award it more liquor licenses. Derby testified at the state Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on June 23 in support of House Bill 5445, which would grant Easthampton eight new liquor licenses. The bill was filed by state Rep. Homar Gómez, D-Easthampton. The committee now has 90 days to act, Derby said.

“They were very receptive to it,” Derby said about testifying. “I anticipate that those licenses will be delivered.”

Derby previously said he attempted to secure the licenses to invite more restaurants and businesses to open in the city to support revenue and economic development. The proposal saw unanimous support from the City Council in April.

Assistant to the Mayor Evan LeBeau previously told the Gazette that Easthampton has 31 on-premise consumption and nine off-premise consumption liquor licenses. According to the city website, all-alcohol licenses for 2026 cost $1,563 and for 2027, they will cost $1,663 plus application fees.

The clerk of the Licensing Board remains vacant after LeBeau resigned from the additional, clerical duties in June. The position is appointed by the mayor, and Derby said no one has been appointed yet.