The Lowell License Commission approved a series of special one-day licenses Thursday for university and community events and took procedural steps to schedule public hearings on two proposed license transfers.

The commission ratified four event licenses applied for by Elizabeth Lopez for university-related events at Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, Kennedy Family Athletic Complex and University Crossing; approved a special-event license for Navigation Brewing Company's "Pumpkins and Pints" on Oct. 25; approved a renewal for a wedding reception at the Hellenic Center; approved a Hyve Public Market "Starlight sneak peek" event license; and granted season preshow/intermission alcohol licenses to the Merrimack Repertory Theatre for several productions and its annual gala at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

The commission also accepted a DBA change application from Yoi Japanese Bistro to operate as Fiesta Eastern Fusion at 61 Merrimack Street. A separate application for a class 2 used auto dealer license for BRZ Auto Sales, 50 Paris Perry Street, was continued because the applicant was not present.

Finally, the commission voted to publish legal notice and hold public hearings on Oct. 30, 2025, at 6 p.m. for (1) a proposed transfer of a wine-and-malt package store license to Ali and Sons Lowell Inc. (7-Eleven) at 970 Gorham Street and (2) an amendment to an all-alcoholic-beverages restaurant license for Tavern in the Square Lowell LLC at 900 Chelmsford Street (change of officers and ownership interest).

Commissioners questioned expected attendance and staffing for the events and confirmed TIP-certified servers would be present for multiple licenses. For the Navigation Brewing event, Commissioner Mercier asked to be recused from participation; that recusal was noted on the record.

No license denials were recorded at Thursday's meeting.