Desiree Franel and Trey Williams, co-owners of Firebrand, argued that the current hours led to lost business opportunities, especially from commuters and event-goers near South Station. Franel emphasized the need for extended hours, citing that Firebrand often turned away customers after 9 p.m. and that many of their sales peaked just before closing. Williams supported this claim with transaction data, illustrating a demand for later service.

Despite their rationale, the proposed extension faced strong opposition from local residents and community representatives. Eva Jones from the mayor’s office and Ashley from Councilor Flynn’s office voiced concerns about increased public cannabis consumption and its adverse effects on neighborhood living conditions. Residents like Averil Carmine and Karen Johnson expressed frustration over Firebrand’s impact on the community, citing increased public smoking and failure to meet previous commitments regarding nuisance mitigation.

The board, led by Kathleen Joyce, engaged in a discussion about the community outreach conducted by Firebrand. Franel outlined efforts to engage with local residents and address their concerns, including hosting meetings and adjusting their proposal based on feedback. Despite these efforts, the board noted a significant volume of opposition letters from residents and civic associations.

Commissioner Lisa Holmes suggested a compromise of extending hours only on Thursdays through Saturdays to balance operational flexibility with community concerns. Franel acknowledged this perspective but highlighted the need for flexibility on holidays without returning to the board for approvals.

Beyond Firebrand, the meeting included other notable discussions about cannabis dispensary operations. The board considered an application from 617 Therapeutic Healthcare, Inc. to extend its hours from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The proposal received more neighborhood support, with reports of successful community engagement and no opposition during public meetings.

Similarly, Silver Therapeutics, Inc., operating as City Farm, sought to amend its license for delivery services and adjust operating hours to better align with customer demand. The proposed changes aimed to cater to morning traffic and had received support from the Mount Hope Neighborhood Association.

The meeting also addressed a proposal from Rebel, represented by Charlotte Hannah, to include delivery services and extend operating hours. Rebel, a woman-owned establishment staffed by Boston residents, had not faced violations and had garnered community support during previous meetings. Despite concerns about community engagement, no opposition was recorded during public testimony, and the board decided to take the matter under advisement.