Source: http://communitylaw.org/booze-news/2103-06-06
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 22:48:06+00:00

Document:
Hearings began at 1:19 pm. Individual votes were announced for 3 of the first 8 hearings. During the 9th hearing, Chairman Fogleman announced that if he did not mention individual votes in his decision, the public should assume that the vote was unanimous. That assumption has been made in the following entries.
Notes from hearing: Mr. Prevas requested a brief hearing postponement, explaining that the applicant has the support of the community and has entered into a lease, but has not finalized all of the details with the landlord and would like to get everything in place before attending a hearing. Mr. Prevas also said that the applicant had informed Mr. Peters of the Hampden Community Council of the postponement. Mr. Peters, who was not at the hearing, told the author the next day that he had not been aware of the postponement.
Notes from hearing: This location is currently covered by the North Avenue Market’s license, but the applicant wants to have his own restaurant license. The applicant presented the Board with a menu, a floor plan showing 104 seats, a document showing a capital investment exceeding the $200,000 required by state law for a new license, letters of support from 3 state delegates, a letter of support from Center City, Inc., and a petition with 167 signatures (including some from Charles North Community Association members) in support of the application. Joe from Joe Squared also testified in support of the application. The applicant said that as part of his operation he is going to try to work with David Stein of Civic Works’ Real Food Farms and also to do some workforce development in the neighborhood. As for live entertainment, the applicant said he is planning on having traditional Irish and Scottish music and some blue grass. There will be 3-4 4-top tables outside, but the applicant has not yet gotten the required minor privilege approval from Zoning.
Result of hearing: Transfer, live entertainment, outdoor table service, and off-premises catering approved.
Issues raised in the audit present in this case: Corporate Standing: Audit Finding 3 states that “BLLC lacked documentation that certain State law and BLLC licensing requirements were met.” Specifically, 9 of 30 “judgmentally selected” licenses lacked the required documentation indicating that the licensed business was in good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (i.e. that the business has filed all required documents and is not delinquent with any State agency). The audit recommends that “staff verif[y] that applicants are in good standing with SDAT and include relevant documentation in the licensee files.” Liam Flynn’s Ale House, LLC is not in good standing with SDAT.
Name of associated corporate entity: Tabor Ethiopian Cuisine, Inc.
Notes from hearing: There are two applicants on this application. The one who is a Baltimore City resident was unable to attend the hearing. According to hearing testimony, he was a licensee at A-1 Deli and Liquors for 16 years. The restaurant is currently open. The applicant’s attorney, Mr. Prevas, said that Mr. Yeager of Downtown Partnership was in support of the license (he had been in Room 215 when the hearings were scheduled to begin, but had to leave). The applicant presented the Board with a document showing a capital investment exceeding the $200,000 required by state law for a new license, 3 letters of support (from Downtown Culture Arts Center, Charm City Chews, and PMS Parking), and a petition with approximately 100 signatures. Chairman Fogleman asked if the establishment was within the boundaries of the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association and Mr. Prevas said he thought it was within the boundaries of the Downtown Partnership. The applicant said there will be 76 seats in the restaurant, plus a small bar with 9 stools in front of the kitchen. In terms of live entertainment, he will be offering traditional Ethiopian music, usually acoustic, with 2-3 musicians 3-4 days a week. Commissioner Jones asked how the applicant would control the volume of the music and the applicant responded that Ethiopian music is not loud – it uses instruments like guitars and it does not use drums.
Result of hearing: Application approved, but if a community association within whose boundaries the establishment lies requests a reconsideration within 30 days, the Board will consider it. In an unusual comment that Chairman Fogleman repeated throughout the day’s hearings, he told the applicant that he will not receive his license until all criteria on a required checklist (Health Department approval, trader’s license, etc.) have been met.
Other reasons Commissioners gave for decision: The licensee has operated a restaurant in this area before so he knows the neighborhood.
Notes from hearing: This is the location of Pazza Luna (now closed). The primary applicant is 28 years old and is the sole investor in the project. His parents are lending him the money to buy the building. The applicants presented the commissioners with petitions with lots of local signatures. They said they are planning on having a “relaxed, up-scale restaurant that’s kid-friendly” with about 15 employees. The restaurant will be open 7 days a week, from 11 am to 10 pm on weeknights, and to 2 am on weekends. The applicants said they met with the board members of the Locust Point community association and on June 12 will be giving a presentation to the whole association. They did not have anything in writing from the community association at the hearing. The outdoor seating will be four 4-tops and the live entertainment will consist of “small stuff” such as karaoke, trivia, and acoustic guitar.
What the vote was: Unanimous. Usually, the commissioners deliberate quietly so the audience cannot hear before announcing their decision. In this instance, Chairman Fogleman said audibly to the other commissioners that he wanted to hear from the community association.
Name of associated corporate entity: Wunderpants Productions, Inc.
Notes from hearing: The applicant plans on having a 500 square foot bar to create a bookstore café atmosphere. He presented a letter in support from the Hampden Village Merchants Association, of which he is president – he explained that he recused himself from the vote on whether or not to support the project. Commissioner Smith asked if there are lots of customers under age 21, what the applicant will do to ensure that there is no under-age drinking. The applicant replied that the store has lots of graphic novels that appeal to adults, and that their average customer age is 21-35. He also said that the bar will be completely separated from the area where children’s comics are kept. Commissioner Smith also asked about the volume of the live entertainment. The applicant said that he was seeking an ambiance where you can pick up a magazine and sit down and read it with a pint of beer. In response to another question by Commissioner Smith, the applicant said that he will not be renting out the establishment. In response to Chairman Fogleman, the applicant said he plans on offering local beers, including the Raven line, which has an appropriate literary association. The second licensee is not financially invested in the business, but has invested in the license. She is a community resident and a long-time fan of Atomic Books.
Notes from hearing: The applicants, one of whom gave an address in Bethesda, MD, and one of whom gave an address in Arlington, VA, plan on having an establishment with Irish-American cuisine and about 15 employees. The hours will be 11 am to 2 am. Members of the community association supported the application and presented the Board with a signed MOU, which, upon questioning from Chairman Fogleman, the applicants said they had knowingly and voluntarily entered.
Issues raised in the audit present in this case: Finding 3 of the Audit states that “BLLC [the Liquor Board] lacked documentation that certain State law and BLLC licensing requirements were met.” In 11 out of 30 applications the auditors tested, the applications were not completely filled out. Neither of the applicants in this case resides in Baltimore City, as required by Md Code Art. 2B § 10-103(4)(i).
Notes from hearing: This is the site of the old J. Patrick’s. The applicant wants to use the name O’Donnell in the new establishment. The application says that the applicant will operate the business full-time, but he said at the hearing that he will not – he will have a full-time manager. The applicant met with the Locust Point Civic Association, which voted to support the project, with no restrictions. The applicant presented a floor plan and a petition with 130-140 signatures. Delegate Brian McHale also supports the project. The applicant hopes to open the establishment by January 1. The hours of operation will be 11:30 am to 2 am. The applicant said the live entertainment will probably be acoustic guitar, and outdoor seating will consist of about 6 4-top tables. The mezzanine, which was not part of the business before, will have 20-24 seats.
Name of associated corporate entity: Edmondson Liquors, Inc.
Notes from hearing: The applicant has operated the establishment for about 15-20 years. She presented a petition with signatures supporting the application. The previous owner did not operate the place well, so the applicant is taking over the license. The applicant’s attorney said that the Midtown Community Association [the author is unclear if the attorney was referring to the Midtown Community Benefits District or another community association] is basically in support of the application. According to the applicant, the president of the association was apparently going to tell the Liquor Board about the association’s approval, but hasn’t yet. The applicant was a licensee from 2002-2005. Chairman Fogleman asked if she had any problems during that time, and she said no.
Other reasons Commissioners gave for decision: The petition in support of the license; No opposition at the hearing.
Area demographics (as of 2010, from BNIA): 79% Black, 15% White; 29% households have children under age 18; median household income: $38,733; 18% households live below the poverty line. In a 2011 Baltimore City Health Department report, Waverly scores 35 (out of 55, with 1 being the best) for Liquor Store Density, where Liquor Store Density is assessed as a determinant for community health – this is considered average for the City of Baltimore. The Liquor Board-prepared map for this application shows two other establishments with A licenses within a few blocks of this location.
Name of associated corporate entity: Mimi Liquors, Inc.
Does at least one of the applicants reside in Baltimore City (and has resided in Baltimore for at least 2 years)? No. The applicant listed a residence in Woodstock, MD on her application.
Does the application contain 3 signatures from Baltimore City property owners who are registered to vote and who have known the applicant for at least two years? No. There is one valid signature. Two of the three individuals listed do not own the property they list as theirs; one of these individuals states that he has only known the applicant for one year.
Notes from hearing: The applicant has owned two liquor licenses in the past, one at this location. She presented a petition in support of the application. The applicant said that she has discussed the application with the Harwood Community Association, and the members are in support, but have not had a chance to write a letter yet. Chairman Fogleman asked if the applicant had any violations on her previous licenses. She said she had one in 2003, but none since. Chairman Fogleman emphasized that the Board comes down harshly when licensees serve to underage individuals.
Result of hearing: Transfer approved.
Other reasons Commissioners gave for decision: The applicant has owned licenses in the past, and only had 1 violation 10 years ago. She knows the neighborhood.
Issues raised in the audit present in this case: Finding 3 of the Audit states that “BLLC [the Liquor Board] lacked documentation that certain State law and BLLC licensing requirements were met.” In 11 out of 30 applications the auditors tested, the applications were not completely filled out. The applicant in this case does not reside in Baltimore City, as required by Md Code Art. 2B § 10-103(4)(i). Additionally, the application contained three citizen signatures, but the signatures were not signatures of three citizens who met the requirements of Md Code Art. 2B § 10-104(d).
Area demographics (as of 2010, from BNIA): 83% Black, 13% White; 31% households have children under age 18; median household income: $19,183; 38% households live below the poverty line. The Liquor Board-prepared map shows 14 other liquor licenses within a few blocks of the establishment, 7 of which are BD7 licenses.
Does the application contain 3 signatures from Baltimore City property owners who are registered to vote and who have known the applicant(s) for at least 2 years? No. One of the three individuals listed does not own the property he lists as his.
Name of associated corporate entity: Pal Brothers, Inc.
Notes from hearing: The applicant’s father is retiring, so the applicant is taking over the license. Chairman Fogleman confirmed that the establishment has permission to have outdoor table service, but doesn’t really use it.

References: Art. 2
 § 10
 Art. 2
 § 10
 Art. 2
 § 10