The Quarry Tap Room will keep its liquor license after the Hallowell City Council voted Monday to approve the renewal, drawing a large crowd to City Hall for a public hearing.
The decision came after Police Chief Zachary Kindelan reversed his earlier recommendation against renewing the license, according to Central Maine News.
Last week, Kindelan had submitted a letter raising concerns about safety at the restaurant and taproom. He said he could not support the renewal until the business made significant improvements and put additional safety policies in place.
However, following a meeting with the restaurant’s management and staff, the chief changed his position and backed the renewal.
Kindelan explained that his original recommendation was not intended to prevent the business from keeping its license. Rather, he wanted to make clear that improvements were needed to address ongoing concerns.
In his initial letter to the licensing board, Kindelan detailed the number of police calls to the establishment since he was sworn in as chief in July. During that relatively short period, officers had responded to the business 15 times, leading to 11 arrests or summonses. Many involved people accused of driving under the influence after leaving the establishment.
The Quarry Tap Room has also been at the center of previous controversy. In August 2025, former Maine Capitol Police Chief Matthew Clancy was arrested following an alleged assault on a Hallowell police officer at the business. Clancy later resigned from his position in October 2025.
Despite those concerns, the restaurant appeared to have considerable support from the community during Monday’s meeting.
When Mayor George Lapointe asked attendees to raise their hands if they favored renewing the Quarry Tap Room’s liquor license, nearly everyone in the room indicated their support.
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