Norwood approves lease assignment and liquor license transfer for 171 Manhattan St.; new operators take on Old Colonial Cafe space

The Norwood Board of Selectmen on Dec. 2 approved an assignment of the lease for 171 Manhattan Street and granted the transfer of an all‑alcohol restaurant license to Gemma Kitchen & Bar, Inc. The board also approved a common victualler (CV) license for the same premises.

Attorney Steven Delamere appeared for the applicants and introduced Giuseppe (Joe) Tropeano and Michelle Jewel as the principals behind Gemma Kitchen & Bar. Delamere told the board both applicants bring roughly 25 years of restaurant experience and local ties: he said Joe grew up in Norwood and Michelle lives in Norwood.

During the public hearing members asked about renovation downtime and kitchen capabilities; applicants said renovations would be mainly cosmetic and the kitchen is usable with only some equipment swaps. Selectmen and other speakers voiced strong support for keeping the long‑standing restaurant location active and handed over to locally embedded operators.

The board voted unanimously to approve the lease assignment from Old Colonial Cafe parties to Gemma Kitchen & Bar and to issue the CV license. The board then voted unanimously to transfer the all‑alcohol license to Gemma Kitchen & Bar, Inc., conditioned on all outstanding financial obligations to the town being paid in full before the license is released.

Applicants and counsel thanked the board after the votes. The approvals include the designation of a proposed manager (Giuseppe Troffiano/Tropeano as recorded in the hearing notice) and followed statutory notice under Chapter 138, Section 12 of the Massachusetts General Laws.