Work on the past and future Dorchester Market mixed-use site is moving forward after a pandemic pause. Property owner Adam Sarbaugh and longtime market proprietor Peter McGee briefed civic members last week on their plan to seek a license to sell beer and wine.

The 959 Dorchester Ave. project includes a renovated market and new proposed restaurant space on the first floor of the building near East Cottage Street. The four upper floors will contain 38 residential units.

Initial plans did not include a beer and wine permit, Sarbaugh said, but in discussing the expectations for a modern market it became clear to him and McGee that customers want the option to get their meal essentials in one trip.

He compared the vision – a wine case and craft beer fridge alongside fresh produce and the butcher’s counter – to the DeLuca’s market on Newbury Street.

McGee said the new space is “gonna have it all,” mostly food with some home essentials and “minimal” amounts of alcohol. They do not intend to operate as a package store, but the ability to sell a bottle of wine with other groceries is “a huge part of a market these days,” he said.

Sarbaugh said at the Tuesday night civic meeting that the final concrete pour would be the next day and that construction will continue from there. The application for the alcohol license has been submitted, he said.

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So Sabe Catering is applying for a retail license for its 996 Dorchester Ave. shop, so passersby tempted by their Cape Verdean and Portuguese-inspired treats can stop in and buy some food to go.

Owner Julia Evora sought and received support from the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association’s planning committee this month for their grab-and-go expansion plans.  Their current permit is for catering and retail, Evora said, and this extension would help the small business to “sustain and stay active. It’s a small space, so we would have accommodation for warmers and a bakery display,” she said, but “no room for tables and chairs.”

The to-go offerings would include their current assortment of sweet and savory bites, along with coffee and tea and perhaps some small sandwiches – “very light stuff,” Evora said.

She expects the shop to be open serving breakfast roughly 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.