Liquor Board Agendas/Minutes/Recordings - Regular Meeting

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Monday, August 10th, 2026 Liquor Board hearing. I will ask Commissioner Glass to lead us in the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, thank you.

I would like to entertain a motion to adopt the July 13th hearing minutes.

And I move that the board adopted July 13th, 2026 Frederick County Liquor Board hearing minutes.

So all those in favor, please signify by saying saying I. 30. All right, then we'll move right into the violations. White Rabbit, join us up front at the table. And because there was some confusion the last time I spoke, I'll say it again. After our director does her presentation and our board may have questions for our director, then I'll turn to you to present your case, okay? Thank you.

Thank you. Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, please raise your right hand and respond with, I will, following the oath. In the matter of White Rabbit Gastropub violation hearing, do you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners and the matter now pending will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? If so, state I will, followed by your name.

I will, Larry Fellows. I will, Kenneth McFaul. I will.

Thank you. I will, Dawn Sugars. Thank you.

All right. Then I will ask, you're here today because you were issued a violation for infusions. I'm going to take this back. Oh, I don't have the owner about. Hold on here.

You're about to get it.

That's okay. Owner about June 18th, I think it is. Do you wish to admit or deny? And do you understand what either means? Yes.

You admit? We admit. Okay. June 30th, just from Durtard. Oh, thank you. Since we have an admission, Madam Chair, I will move into reading the charges into the record. And then I'll move through our process for the violation hearing. On June 30th, 2026, Frederick County Liquor Board Inspector Ronnie Harrison conducted a routine inspection at White Rabbit Gastropub. During the inspection, approximately 16 containers of infused alcohol were observed being stored beyond the five-day permitted under the Frederick County Alcoholic Beverage Regulation 6.14 infusions. The infusions were labeled with made-on dates ranging from 9 to 22 days, with the majority having been prepared between June 18th and June 21st. Additionally, one container of infused alcohol was not properly labeled with the date the infusion was prepared. All 16 containers were disposed of before the inspector left the establishment. Exhibit A will be the notice of violation dated July 7th. Exhibit B will be the incident report dated June 30th. And Exhibit C will have photos of the alcohol. With the admission, we will move into the finding of fact.

Based on the admission and the testimony provided either written or verbal, does the board find that the licensee violated section 6.14 of the Frederick County alcoholic beverage regulations by storing infused alcoholic beverages for more than five days, which is beyond the allotted time permitted for infusion? Yes.

Yes.

With the finding of fact, we will now go through the history.

Once I read the history into the record, I will make a staff recommendation and the board will take it from there. Thank you. What we have in the history here is the license was issued June 23rd, 2017. The license has been held for approximately nine years. The violation history we have is 10-19-2023. Drinks carried out outside areas and patios. There was a warning issued. 6-16-2025 infusions. There was a verbal warning. And the relabel, you can see on there that the conversation was had with Mr. Fellows. And the proper labeling was corrected on 6-16-2025. five, six, 2026. We did a no contest letter, $100 fine, $100 administrative mandatory able training for Mr. Fellows, which he did complete and seven, seven, 2026. We do have a display of license warning. We do have a compliance check where they did not sell to a minor on five, 22, 2025. That is all of the history. Now I'm going to go into a recommendation, um, that this is a new violation for a third offense infusion. We recommend that the fine be 750, administrative fee 250, mandatory violation prevention training. The class is 200. The schedule there is the 17th of September and October 8th. We would like them to complete that violation prevention by October 8th. They should register within seven days of this hearing. They will be on probation for one year with the condition of if there are any new infractions that occur that we do not consider administrative, like display of licensing, things like that, that would have to be a major infraction. During the probationary period, we would bring them back before the board, and that's the staff recommendation.

Okay, thank you.

All right, any questions for the director? Madam Chair, can I make a clarifying suggestion that perhaps, just so that everyone is clear on what could trigger a violation of the rule? probation, that it be essentially a must-appear offense that would require the license holder to come before the board. That's a suggestion, but that may be something that provides sufficient clarity.

And they always have the option if they want to come before us.

If they choose to, but I think it's fair to say that if it's not a must appear, but they choose to come before the board, that would not be something that triggers a violation of the probation. An offense that requires or is a mandatory appearance before the board.

Okay.

Is that okay with you? Mm-hmm.

The rest of the board?

Okay.

All right. Anything further for the director? Good. Seeing none, we'll turn to you to... End your case or share anything you want with us.

Okay. My name is Larry Fellows. I'm the general manager at the White Rabbit. You just heard the history. There has been no infractions up until the past couple of years. We've had a pretty good track record. And over this past year, these couple of incidences have kind of proven that I can't rely on a lot of the staff that I have. So the buck stops here. So the things that I've done moving forward, all goes through my hands and my eyes. A few things that we have done to prevent this from happening forward. Excuse me, I've got a handful of them, so one second.

Take your time.

Alright, so we. Disciplinary write ups for all managers, including myself as a final warning. We took a big pause button on the entire batching program at the restaurant. If we do decide to bring that back into place. We put together a new SOP and that will be done for the weekends only. So the batching will be done on Friday mornings and part out through the weekend. So there's no remainder batches after the weekend's over. We've attended all the ABLE training completed by all the managers. We have scheduled for the violation prevention class for all the managers, as well as the bartenders. We've also scheduled for the Raising the Bar Industry Forum for all the managers. And the one that's proven the most efficient is an app that we introduced to the restaurant called Maintain IQ. This is a checklist app. So the buck stops here. So my staff will come in. They have this checklist that they have to complete, which includes checking all bar fridges, anything that's stored, any sort of alcohol for dates, so on. They check the app. If they don't complete these apps, I get an alert on my phone through email. At that point, I make a phone call, say, make sure these things are completed. So anytime these guys do anything moving forward, I have eyes on it. I understand who's on staff, what's going on, and who's batching, if they are batching. So we started the batching program because we were a very busy restaurant. We had a very small bar. The time started getting a little bit longer, and we were a little, the bar was so small that it's, becomes a little hectic with two bartenders. The batching program was to help with ticket times for our guests. They were doing very well with that. As we took away the batching program for the restaurant because of this, we found no issues with these ticket times at the moment. So we put a big pause button on our entire batching program. If we do bring it back, we have the new SOP for the weekends only.

Just for

clarification you are the general manager kenneth you are the license holder correct normally i make the license holder talk but i understood you had given permission yeah um no thank you for that and um i've spent a little bit of time with dawn through the years in her different positions and uh sorry to meet the rest of you under these circumstances but thank you for hearing us out on this Larry's been with us since day one, started as a bartender and has been general manager now for four years. And through the White Rabbit, we have 42 taps. We've always put a big emphasis on not over serving and checking IDs. When we first started, we're up until two o'clock in the morning. We've since shifted our hours and we close at 10 p.m. And we've never really had a violation with over serving or checking IDs. We're very strict on that. And I understand the weight that it holds to hold a liquor license in Frederick County. And I thank you guys for that opportunity. We do take this very, very serious. It's extremely embarrassing to have three violations on a batching program. And I can tell you, we get the message.

forward. Any questions?

So just so who does your batching? Is it like who's just just explain?

Yeah, we have bartenders that are assigned those throughout the week. Okay. And as at the time when those batches were running down, they would redo the batch and put them into place. And it sounds a little crazy for the one that she read with like 16 containers. And this was simply a A dumb, dumb error on one of the bartenders just wrote the completely wrong date down, had the month and the date flipped over. And it was one of these things where it was just, it seems so silly to hear 16 batches or 16 containers. After that infraction, I came in and I spoke with Dawn, dropped off the fines in person. And we talked about, we have cameras in the restaurant, if it would help if I pull camera footage of this actual happening and just understanding that this was batched at this time, the proper time, and just Staff member just wrote the wrong date down.

And is there any like, I don't know what they call it, continuity, but like, so is there any backup system that you've put in place? So it's not just on the bartender, but is there a, you know, do others then double check, so to speak, so that there's a...

Yes, they were supposed to. And unfortunately, they didn't do that, which is why we're here today. But I have a cocktail manager that is supposed to oversee all inventory. as well as the dates in the batching program.

Okay.

As well as Mr. Fells going in every single day and checking all the dates.

Okay. So if you should start in the future for just your weekends, will someone be checking then at the end of the weekend to make sure that...

So that would be part of that MaintainIQ checklist app, which is the proper dates being put on for that Friday morning and the proper disposal by the end of that weekend.

And... Dawn, just for the record, like what is the issue with the health department? I know this is an education thing for, we have a lot of folks in the room on infusions that the shelf life is five days, but what's the rationale? Why?

Well, they allow obviously seven days for, for them. But for us, it is through the state and the state, actually the law says for immediate consumption, any type of infusions are immediate consumption, but they allow each jurisdiction to have the latitude to hold alcohol for service because of your ticket times, things like that. So we were at three days, we moved to five, but it is really because they're not a rectifier. They are not a rectifier who can manufacture their own alcohol. Because what happens is the content of that alcohol starts to break down, sugars, starts to marry together. And then they basically, the state would say, we don't know what's in that bottle. We don't know what's in that container. Even if they label it sangria and the date, they really don't know what's happening inside of there as far as chemically bacteria, things like that. So because they don't hold a rectifier's license, that is really a big reason behind the why of infusions really are just this, I say anomaly that they allow us to do when it's really immediate consumption is what's written in law. And I do want to also verify for the record, Mr. Fellows did come in. He did have a conversation on the second infraction to say, hey, he wasn't real pleased about it to say, hey, this was a labeling issue. This was a but to him, he's like, do I just pay the fines? Is it worth coming to the board hearing to contest it? Because he had that dialogue of should he contest that second charge? And him and I talked about it. And he did have a very open, honest conversation about the labeling and what should have happened. And he wasn't, like I said, he didn't want to take the second infraction as a no contest, but he was like, you know, do I go before the board? Do I just pay the hundred hundred and this will never happen again. And then here we are. So he did make those efforts. And I want the board to have that noted for the record as well.

Fusions of late seem to be the trending issue. I don't exactly know why. You're going to find out why and rectify it, which I appreciate.

In the VPC class, does it, besides IDs, does it go over any of these issues?

Oh, goodness, yes. We go into, we bring up pictures of our previous cases where they were growing things in it. So we go through infusions, we go through any of our heavy violations items we have in that VPC. It's not just the IDing, because you wanna be able to prevent future Violations for anything that we have as a prohibited practice. So we go through a lot of the prohibited practices. So, yes, there is an emphasis.

And in your recommendation, it says VPC. Now, they're already signed up for VPC.

They did. And they also sent additional managers to able prior to this to get them educated, which was very eye opening for them as well. And it was very it's actually a very engaging class with them. because they had the questions, you know, they really got educated on, oh, this is the why, this is the understanding. So it definitely, they did sign them up and it was very engaging with the managers that attended, I will tell you. So, but you said they're already signed up for VPC? Yes, they are. Already paid the 200. We held on the 200 until we got here today. Okay, gotcha. Just was checking.

Okay. Madam Chair, those are all the questions I have. Okay. Chris, how many employees do you have?

Wow, we have about 52, I think. It includes back of house as well and some other staff that pop in and help out.

How many of those are involved in the process or serving?

Well, the bartenders, we have roughly six that rotate through our downstairs and upstairs bar. One cocktail liquor manager. I have two other managers to help on the floor as well as other inventory. And then about a total of maybe 18 to 20 servers on the floor.

The servers don't mix the alcohol.

No, simply 11.

It looks like from what you explained, you will have three days worth of infusions and then they're gone. OK. You think further you know. If there are no further questions you have nothing further to add them will bring it back up here for a motion or our discussion.

I'm sure I'm prepared to make a motion yes, ma'am so I move that the board find a $500 with the administrative fee of 2.50 the violation prevention class for the bartenders managers licensees Mandatory it's. You can send others excuse me on the. They can they can opt to send others, but the mandatory are those that are involved in the making of infusions and oversight. Must be done either the September 7th or October 8th. One year probation since this is a third offense to bring it before the board. And a trigger. Of that probation would be a must appear offense, and then that would bring back the charge before the board and need to register for the class for the next Saturday.

Oh yeah, well, they're already registered for the club.

Second.

OK, with that. My only question would be the flight that dropped to 500 because we've worked really hard. staying consistent with our fines. And if there's a reason, do you mind sharing it?

So the reason is that they have actually gone above and beyond by putting in the ID, stopping the program, already registering for the class, new standard operating procedures, and attending the industry forum. So I think that they have demonstrated that they're taking it seriously.

I concur. I think management being here today, licensee and manager expressing everything and the steps that they're taking. I think it actually sets an example for the rest of the community to even hear. So I know Dawn is going to also be monitoring it very closely. Excuse me, Madam Administrator. And so I concur.

Okay. And I appreciate that. Jen?

Madam Chair, does the board want to consider an amendment to the probation that would establish what portion is being suspended, something that is being suspended throughout the probationary period if there is a violation and it's brought back before the board? The consequences. The consequences.

Commissioner Burrell, I would say that the fine would go back up to the the recommendation of the that will will suspend the 250 of the fine. And that will come back. With any if they and they violate with and then plus the new charge.

You got that? OK, I concur. OK, thank you.

You need me to repeat that. I'm gone. Do you need a repeat on this motion? I would like to see that the minutes reflect the reasoning, the clarification on the $500 fine in case there's a motion. Okay, then I am in concurrence and I will take a vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. 3-0. Okay, you got... No, not on violations.

Good.

But you got a bit of a break. And I appreciate that. I wanted to clarify why. And now you know as well. We won't be as generous if there's another one. All right. And you can share that information with anybody you deal with too. So you got a 3-0 vote on this violation. John and the office will get in touch with you with any specifics. And if you need us, we're only a phone call away.

We'll be typing up a summary email that she'll send out to you guys to be able to pay online. Or you can come back after our hearing is over if you wanted to come back with a check. Because the fine is due within 24 hours. If the fine is not paid within 24 hours, it does double. So just keep that in mind. Be on the lookout for that email. She does them as we're doing the cases. So you should see them pop up into your email. and there will be a link to pay online, or you can choose to come back later this afternoon.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen.

Best of luck.

Our next case is the wine kitchen. Please join us up front. Prior to... As she's wearing everybody and I'll say again, the director will give her presentation and if the board has any questions after that, then we'll turn to you for your case.

Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, please raise your right hand and respond with I will following the oath. In the matter of the wine kitchen's violation, do you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury That's a testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners. And the matter now pending will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If so, state I will, followed by your name. I will, Catherine Strauss.

I will, Jason Miller.

I will, Clifton Ayers.

I will, Dawn Sugars. Thank you.

Okay, Dawn, I turn to you.

I'm going to do your yellow paper.

Oh, yes.

The yellow paper. Yeah. I don't lose it. I always lose this thing.

You're here today because you were issued a violation. July 14th. Do you wish to admit or deny the violation? And in doing so, do you understand what either means?

Yes, admit.

Admit. Okay. Okay.

With that admission, Madam Chair, for the record, July 7th is the actual incident. I will read into the record the charges, and then we will move through our violation process. On July 7th, 2026, Frederick County Liquor Board Inspector Ronnie Harrison conducted a routine inspection at the wine kitchen. During the inspection, 27 containers of infused alcohol were observed being stored beyond the five days permitted under the Frederick County Alcoholic Beverage Regulation 6.14 infusions. The oldest container was labeled with a made on date of May 1st, 2026, indicating that the infusion had been stored for approximately 67 days at the time of inspection. At the inspector's discretion, all 27 containers of infused alcohol were disposed before the conclusion of the inspection. Since we do have an admission, we will put into the record notice of violation dated July 14th. The exhibit B for the incident is July 7th. And the reason there's a delay because there was a holiday in there.

as well and then exhibit c will be the photo of the infused alcohol with that being said we will move into the finding of fact and then history based on the testimony provided in the admission either both written and verbal does the board find that the licensee violated section 6.14 of the frederick county alcoholic beverage regulations by storing infused alcoholic beverages for more than five days which is beyond the allotted time permitted for infusions Yes, yes, yes.

With the finding of fact, we will now go into our history. Yes.

the history in front of the board. The license was issued September 21st, 2011. The license has been held for over 15 years. The violation history, May 17th, 2012, there was a failure to pick up license, no contest, letter for $50. August 30th, 2012, drinking while on duty, $300 fine. May 17th, 2013, failure to pick up license, no contest, $50. May 17th, 2013, Failure to pick up license. It's on here twice. Not sure why, but we'll mark that one off. June 27th, 2014. Failure to notify the board of any changes. A warning. June 8th. Failure to pick up license. No contest. 100. Why does this keep repeating itself? Okay. Move this one again for May 17th. April 30th, 2016, failure to not pick up renewal. You'll see there's a lot of administrative. $900 fine, $100 administrative. June 9th, 2017, failure to pick up license, no contest. February 12th, 2024, no barrier of outside patio warning. March 11th, 2024, sharing alcohol with Maxwell Kitchen. Deferred judgment stays on the record. The judgment was until March 11th, 2026. but it stays on the record till 2027. They had a 250 administrative fee and they were able to watch the ABLE video at that time. February 5th, 2025, infused, stored more than three days, verbal warning. March 31st, infused, stored more than three days, no contest. And they did have a did not sell dated for 17, 2025. So there is an extensive history, but more administrative information If we want to just look at that, but then we get into more of the infused as we get to February 5th, 2025. I will give the staff recommendation. It will be very similar to the last case because we were treating them everything on the same playing field where this is a third offense, the fine $750. Due to the third offense, a 250 admin fee, mandatory violation prevention training with a class fee of 200 with two class dates of September 17th and October 8th. The completion deadline for those October 8th, the registration for the class within seven days and a probationary period of one year with the following conditions of any new infraction of, as we said in the last case, would be if it's something Of course, I'm going to look at my wording here to make sure we say it the same. Must appear offenses. It will be an infraction on that. And that's my recommendation. I'll turn it over to the board.

Okay. Do you have any questions for our director?

I do not.

Okay. And I turn it over to you to plead your case.

Yeah, obviously the batching thing has become an issue for us. I think we were allowing the bartender to decide how much to batch, which we no longer do. And they were just batching too much at a time. And the reason we had so much on that date is we were closed on Saturday. And so they did not take that into account when the inspection was Tuesday, I believe. So that's why we had so many. So now opening manager checks, closing manager checks. We have two checks a day just to ensure that this doesn't happen again because we do batch for the same reason that we heard previously. All of our cocktails on our list are batched. It's just the spirits. It's not any citrus. It doesn't matter. So obviously we take responsibility and now we have steps in place so it doesn't rely on junior managers that reliance on the most senior managers to make sure that everything is. Dated and stored correctly.

And your senior managers are. You general manager.

We have a assistant manager as well in one floor manager. OK, so there's only one of us. Yeah, OK, free free.

I know I know.

I'm sorry. I know the admin kind of lowers the level of violation, but there's a consistent thread of admin type violations. That gives me a bit of concern insofar as not putting a priority on sustaining your license and doing the paperwork that's necessary for it. So that's one of my concerns.

For the record, just for Jason's sake, too, because that was a lot to be read and absorbed and he doesn't have anything in front of him. June 9th, 2017 was the last administrative type infraction. It looks like there was a run of a period of time. It looks like a season where some things were just a failure to pick up the license.

We recognize that at that time. And it's been almost 10 years since that.

I just didn't want it to seem like an absolute lie.

And that's why we wanted to make sure that we don't miss those kind of obviously serious administrative things that we have to do to maintain our license.

And do you feel like our office gives you proper notifications?

Absolutely. We take full ownership of that. You guys are really good about saying, hey, don't forget this and don't forget that. And that's why for the past 10 years, we have not repeated that specific issue.

Drive over and pick them up. And I'll just see everybody.

There you go. Demi? So I do have a question. So I know that said there was 27 containers, the oldest one being 67 days. That one gives me a little pause because that means that's multiple failures combined. you know, of check some balances, even just to still have them there and not knowing if they had been used for service. So how, so again, like you can share with me, how is it stored? How are you reading? How, how are your managers going in and reading the labels?

Like how, you know, how will you force like completely emptied out the fridge that everything was in. And then we just have those batches that we've done for those, like we're doing it for three days. We keep our juice for two days. And we just have those, so there's nothing hiding it back. There's nothing behind other containers. So it's just very easy for us to check to make sure that we are in compliance.

Everything's in the glass door refrigerator, so you can see walking by. You don't even have to open the refrigerator door to see the dates.

So is that the way when the inspectors were there, or has that changed since then? We've just changed what we're keeping in it. Okay. Okay. And any other trainings or things that you're doing that you've done with the staff?

We have people, a couple new folks signed up for the tips class on the upcoming Monday. I've done the ABLE training. My assistant manager, it's a new assistant manager, she's signing up for the ABLE training. And I'm going to have the three bartenders that we have also take the ABLE training. Okay. And the class that's coming up on the two dates.

Yeah, violation prevention class. It used to be called something else, but yes.

BPC. And if the Saturday that we were closed was for July 4th, so our staff could observe the holiday.

Okay, gotcha.

Yeah, it's just the, having seen what grows in these things, it's kind of nasty. And the 67 days gave me a little pause, like that's just systemic. So, yeah. And Inspector Harrison, sorry. It says that validate like where, when you, what were there with some of these older ones, like just tucked away in the back and not.

Yeah. It's kind of a little bit older and they got newer.

Okay. And all of them were emptied out.

Yes. Okay.

Yeah. So the way you do it now, there is no rotation of dates.

You just dump them all at the end of... Well, we're just using much smaller batches. Left to their own devices, people are making larger batches because then you have to do it once versus twice for the same volume. So now people are not left to their own devices.

And it's me and my assistant manager that are checking versus the bartenders.

Yeah, I just... Madam Chair, just for the sake of just public comment. You know, a lot of times when we talk about infusions like this and we go through this, a lot of times folks can say, well, you know, it's really getting nitpicky. You know, the state's really kind of coming down on us pretty hard. But, you know, our posture and quite frankly, the world I live in and the businesses I run, you know, I'm always thinking there's a lawyer around every corner. You know, there's a liability issue around every every Every issue. Jalapeno peppers. Yeah, which is what's going on right now. So the point I wanted to make just publicly was when we do this, when we really are focused on these issues, it's not only to protect the public and protect the general health and welfare of the public. And I know you all know that. But it's to protect you as well. You know, when we're doing these inspections and it takes a lot of time, it takes a lot of effort. It's really also to protect those that we license. Because imagine somebody getting sick on a 67-day container, that's going to come back on you. And I live in the world of lawyers around every corner, like I said. So I just wanted to publicly say that this sometimes seems like we're punishing fairly hard. Well, to a degree, there's definitely a respectful reminder and punishment. But more importantly, as we protect the public, we also want to protect you so that somebody doesn't have a frivolous lawsuit and you're put out of business. So I just wanted to make sure that that was out there on the record as well. I think that's good.

And I think they appreciate that also. Our whole purpose is to educate, not to violate. But unfortunately, sometimes they have to violate. OK, um. Anything else? Any other questions?

By the way, I wouldn't slam employers.

I have thicker skin than that.

I'll be good.

That's all that anything else.

How many employees do you have and and? Folks that are doing the infusion.

So total employees in the building have about 60, and the people that are doing the infusion is about four. Thank you.

And are there, I'm going to add this on, are there consequences to whomever doesn't do it right now?

There are.

Okay. And I don't need to know what they are. That's your business.

I also appreciate what you're saying about, my mom was a,

fda rig rider so oh there you go there you go appreciate that there you go yeah i mean i deal with the government all day long predominantly it's the u.s military you know and jag officers are swell love them had them in the fleet but they also drive me crazy anything else debbie they're currently not registered for the vpc correct

We're trying to piece in which date.

We're not yet, but we will. For VPC, right.

If there's no further discussion or questions, let's back up here for a motion or further discussion by the board.

Madam Chair, I'm prepared to make a motion.

Yes, ma'am.

And the reason I'm going to concur with the board with the administrator's recommendations is because different from the last case, there is, and although it's completed and completed well, it's still on the record from 24 so that, you know, from March 11, 24, February 25, March 31st. So that puts it to me that this is the fourth offense in the last two years. So I'll concur that the board fined $750 fine $250 administrative fee, $200 violation prevention class on September 17th and October 8th must be registered for within seven days. One year probation, and that would bring back potentially a stiffer penalty if there is a trigger of a must appear offense during that one year probation. and required training for all those involved in the infusion of alcohol. So it would be the three managers and the licensee, correct? Did I get that right?

Yeah, before.

That could change. That could change. Anyone who's going to be involved in the infusion monitoring and checking.

Okay. Any... Do I have a second on that motion?

Second, but I gotta ask a question.

Absolutely.

What are the four?

So when you go here, it's the. Starting here on the 24th. OK, so sharing with I know I know you completed that well and that and I was here on the board. We all were on the that charge, but it's still on the record and so that just shows that in and then if you add the no barrier that technically even though that was a warning, there's just been in the last two years. should be the fifth time that the boards and that's the rationale for the going with the board recommendation versus the last one that was a little different yeah i understand that the sharing alcohol with maxwell i'm not that concerned that was the yeah oh you own maxwell okay okay we got a second on that any further questions i'm in concurrence with um commissioner burrell's um

explanation. So all those in favor of her motion, does it need to be repeated, Don? Okay. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. That is a 3-0. And if you've got any further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the staff. And I wish you the best and only want to see you if I come to visit you. All right, thank you.

I know that you guys have tripped up a lot of people lately, so just really be monitoring that.

As for the record, the finest due within 24 hours, or it will double. We will send an email with an online or come back later this afternoon with a check. Thank you.

Okay, our next.

That's a common path. FDK Groceries, please join us at the front table.

Thank you, sir.

Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, please raise your right hand and respond with I will, following the oath. In the matter of FDK Groceries, Violation, do you saw me declare and affirm under the penalty of penalties of perjury that the testimony you're about to get to the board of licensed commissioners in the matter now pending will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If so, state, I will follow by your name.

I will. Thank you.

Okay, you are here today because you were issued a violation on 625. Do you wish to admit or deny the violation? And in doing so, do you understand what either means? We admit.

Okay. And the license holder is you. Okay. With the admission, Madam Chair, I will read the charges into the records. On June 25th, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m., a minor entered FDK Groceries. The minor, who was 19 years old at the time, attempted to purchase a Rita's Strawberrita. The minor reported that the clerk did not request a seat identification and proceeded with the sale. Shortly thereafter, Frederick County Liquor Board Inspector entered the establishment and cited the clerk. Later identified as, I'm going to butcher this up here, but I'm going to try not to, Geronda Uncum for the violation. The clerk was issued a civil citation in the amount of 25. The notice of violation is dated. It's Exhibit A. Those are the records that we're going to enter into the record, 6-26-2026. The Exhibit B of the incident report, 6-25-2026. Exhibit C will be the buyer's report and, if necessary, testimony of our inspectors, Smith or Inspector Harrison, if necessary. With the admission, we will move into the finding of fact.

All right.

Turn it over to our lawyer. Jen, based on the admission and the testimony provided, either written or verbal, does the board find that the licensee violated section 6-304 and 6-309 of the alcoholic beverage and cannabis article and section 1.1 and 7.12 of the Frederick County alcoholic beverage regulations when the licensee or one of its employees sold, provided to, and allowed a minor to possess an alcoholic beverage? Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

And to the record, we will go into the history.

With the history in front of the board, this license was issued January 22nd, 2021. The license has been held for about five and a half years. The violation history is January 3rd, 2024. license was not displayed there was a warning february 12 2024 there was a sales to minor they are under deferred judgment until february 12 2026 and that stays on the record until february 12 2027 with a 250 admin fee and 200 vpc there was also a charge february 12 2024 of purchasing alcohol from a retailer they were given a 500 fine and mandatory able training They completed their deferred judgment February 12th, 2026, but again, stays on the record until 2027. Since this is a second offense of a sales to minor, the staff recommendation would be a fine of $1,500, administrative fee of 250, mandatory VPC training for the two dates available, September 17th and October 8th. The deadline to complete that VPC is October 8th. Must register within seven days. and a probationary period of two years with the following conditions. If a new violation occurs during this probationary period, a one-week suspension will be imposed with a no buyback option, but it will be held in abeyance during the probationary period. That is the staff recommendation for a second offense of sales to minor.

Thank you. Any questions of Dawn? All right, then I will turn.

I'll turn it over to you to explain your case. Yeah, good morning.

We we do take the. Say very seriously the offense. We understand that it it was an offense that not. Right. We do take all the trainings and we have constant reminders for the staff and we take it seriously. But this one is just, we accept that it's not acceptable and we are trying to make sure we enhance the reminders and also add software or something that on our PO system that will not complete a sale without checking the ID while enforcing the training and also the reminders to the staff. The one thing that I talked to my staff was that there was another customer with a couple of two or three children and was They were pulling the stuff from the tracks and also he was very much distracted, but I'm not saying that's not, it's not allowed, but so we are going to make sure that they cannot complete a sale without making sure the ID is scanned or checked. So that's where we are right now.

I hear you say you take it very seriously. but the last two years of violations doesn't show that to me. I don't know how the rest of the board feels, but since 2024, one, yeah, there's several violations that, give me pause because I don't feel the seriousness on the part of your business and you as the license holder. Mr. Sparrel and Glass, do you have any questions?

I have a question for Don. There's two fences that are on where they've done it the same visit. Appliance check.

You mean the sales to minor on 2024 and the retailer? Correct. Yeah, and then we brought them in before the board.

Right. Okay. Just to add, those transactions, we were not aware at that time, and we came to know during the last sharing.

You mean not purchasing from a retailer versus? Okay. So one thing I want to emphasize is the understanding. And I do this a lot in ABLE. I really try to press down on if there is some sort of language barrier or if there's some sort of understanding of what is being said for any of our licensees that's in the audience or here to speak out and say, hey, I need an interpreter. Or I need some one-on-one time where I would need you to explain to me, looking at a vertical, looking at a, there's always the option open to our licensees where it's not just in that classroom setting. And one thing that is really important to us is that educational piece that we're not just checking a box. Oh, I attended ABLE. Oh, I attended alcohol awareness. Oh, I'm alcohol awareness certified. Great. But they really need to have that under gain that understanding, especially when you come for a second offense, it's really important to us for you to understand. And again, if it takes a one-on-one, okay, if it takes a ask for that, You know, because sometimes licensees need that. Sometimes the employees need that, where it's not in the classroom setting, where they're just kind of hearing the information and checking the box. To me, checking the box doesn't get us where we need to be as far as understanding. Checking the IDs, being distracted, knowing your responsibility as an employee or a license holder when you are selling a controlled substance. So I just want to emphasize that pretty strongly. That's true.

Yeah, that's true.

Thanks, Dale.

And I need to ask you point blank, I'm going to ask each of you, have you read the regulation book?

Yes.

And you understand all that that's within it? Yes. Have you? Yes. Have you? Because all of this is in that regulation book. So when you apply for your license and you get your regulations, don't just stick it on a shelf. Make your employees read it if that's the case. If you've got children distracting a sale, Tell the parent or the customer, whomever has control of them, control your children or I can't allow children in the store. That's your responsibility. Yes.

And just so you have situational awareness, I know you've completed the deferred judgment, but if that would not have been completed and would have been just a few months earlier, it would be a different scenario, a mandatory suspension now. Two offenses within two years, you're facing a mandatory suspension. So the board has no say. That's a state law. So sales to minors is something that's very serious. And, you know, I know When you're here before the board before you mentioned that, you know, this wasn't going to happen again. And so we've given you that opportunity. I think that, you know, the point of sale, you said you mentioned you plan to get it. This last offense was in June. It's now August. Have you purchased it? Or is it just waiting to hear what the board says to do it? So that's for me is intent of. where you really are with it.

We are working with another POS system that we're going to upgrade. So that discussions are happening. We have not yet purchased, but we are discussing where it's more restricted on type of sales, items of sale, and also blocking the sales depending on certain conditions. So that's the software we are talking about with another POS than the existing one. Okay.

And, you know, what other things are you doing on a daily basis? Like, what are you pulling your employees aside? Have you, you know, shared with them? I know you haven't registered for VPC yet, correct? So there is that, you know, opportunity just to make sure. How many employees do you have at this location?

I have one full-time and one part-time. It's a small family business.

Gotcha. Okay.

So is he the employee that saved the sale? So what are you doing differently from before to now?

Actually, we used to check all the people with respect of the age. But sometimes another day, what happened, one lady, she came with four or five kids and mixing up all the candies and drinks. My daughter's attention is that side. I just ignored her. It was happened. But otherwise we used to take all these things because already we have a scanner. We take the ID. It will show you the including the days how many days later. But do we take more precautions in future?

To emphasize one more time until we have this new software to not complete any sale. If they are distracted, stop the sales. get handle the situation and then get back to this. So that's what I'm going to reiterate to the staff again to make sure they follow.

Yeah. Cause you know, the other piece to it is, is in, you know, well, software's great. You also have to be looking at the person in front of you. You have to make sure that the ID that they presented you is their ID. Yes. And so again, it becomes down to the vigilance of your folks because you're, You're only as in, you have only like two folks working for you. How often are you engaged in the business versus like employees? Are you the full-time or part-time or do you work with it?

I'm not full-time or part-time. I visit them every two weeks, make sure we run through all the procedures and also the same thing after the previous violation, I've been taken seriously with constant reminders and We also had instances where we did not allow my nurse to buy. He actually stopped multiple of them. We also have licenses that were invalid that were recognized and we seized and we complained. We reported those things too. So we do take everything seriously. I do make sure we have those constant reminders. Unfortunately, this happened. So we are trying to see what additional we can do on this one.

Who are you reporting those IDs to?

In invalid licenses, who do we report to? Who did you report before we had, right? Like the person had a fake license.

No, simply.

You should be talking to our office when we come across those so that we can look at them and then also come out and just have that little additional reminder to look at things. But you should be turning those into us. Yes. Yes.

And going back to what Commissioner Varela just said, the intention is there for you to upgrade or whatever. We're not dictating to you what kind of point of sales you need to have whatsoever, but you need your eyes and you need a full understanding. But once again, as with the last violation, you're in the process of, but it hasn't been completed as of yet. So do we go on this assumption that you're going to? And then you come back to me with a violation and it's in the process still.

Can I, Chief, if you don't mind? Yes, based on the last incident and, you know, repetitive reminders in the training and we are talking to the employees and it was going smooth. But, you know, the mistake happened right now. So we thought that those controls is not enough. We wanted to have an additional control on top of it. which we wanted to have this POS control so that, you know, when somebody is buying a liquor in that transaction, so you're trying to complete the transaction, it won't let him to complete unless you check the ID. So that will permanently, you know, take some time. So we already initiated with POS system and we made a call and they said it can be added with the different POS vendor we are talking. And after the incident happened, we initiated to frankly because, you know, it was going on smooth. Now the incident happened and immediately we were trying to see what additional controls we can put in here. And that's where we started that software control there.

So we're talking a month and a half ago.

Right, actually.

So how long does something like this? Again, I'm not mandating what you get. Right. How long does this take to implement if that's what you choose? Your position in the business is what?

So I take care of the back office and that's where I was talking to the POS system. Yeah, so probably it may take a couple of months because I cannot guarantee on the date because they have to software install, bring the newest systems and everything, right? So probably I'm thinking a couple of months, I'm thinking a month or two.

So from the violation and the initial conversations, we're looking at anywhere between four and six months for installation?

Max, yeah. Okay. Max.

I'm not an expert in this, but that seems excessive.

Right.

Okay. Anything else? No.

Chris? No, nothing. I mean, I get it. It's... Small family business. How much does this system cost?

It's the new POS system. Additional around 3K 3K.

Alright, no further questions or discussions. It's back up here to entertain a motion.

Madam chair, I will concur with the administrators recommendations to a fine of $1500. Administrative fee of $250, a mandatory violation prevention class for September 17th or October 8th must be registered for and completed by December. Excuse me, October 8th with registration within seven days. I will recommend probation of two years with one week suspension held in abeyance. If there's a new violation, it is a mandatory one week suspension of the license.

buyback option no buyback option second okay um you are if this happens again i just want to make sure you know you're looking at a suspension which could cause the loss of a business we don't want that yes so no more i'm gonna you need to do it

For clarification, for the record, all employees and licensees in the sale of alcohol will attend the VPC? Correct. Thank you.

All right. We have a second on that. And any further discussion by anyone? All right. Then all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Staff will get in touch with you. Dawn, I want to do your thing.

Yeah, the fine is due within 24 hours. She will send you a summary. There will be a link or if you want to stop back over to the office later this afternoon, you can also come by and pay with a check as well.

OK, thank you very much.

Thank you.

All right, one stop food Mart. Please join us up front. Hey everyone. Thank you.

Anyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, please raise your right hand and respond with, I will follow you. In the matter of one-stop food mart violation, do you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners in the matter now pending over the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? If so, state, I will, followed by your name. I will follow by your name.

I will, Dawn Sugars.

Okay. You are here today because you were issued a violation on or about 6-25-2026. Do you wish to admit or deny the violation? And do you understand what either means?

Yeah.

Admit and you understand. Okay. Thank you.

With the admission, Madam Chair, I will read the charges into the record. On June 25th, 2026 at approximately 1 30 p.m a minor entered one stop food mart the minor who was 19 years old at the time attempted to purchase a rita's mangarita the minor reported that the clerk did not request their identification and proceeded with the sale shortly thereafter frederick county liquor board inspector entered the establishment cited the clerk later identified as t to diani dabbo for the violation the clerk was issued a civil citation in the amount of 125 dollars the record exhibit a notice of violation dated 626 exhibit b incident report dated 625 exhibit c is the buyer's report dated 625 and testimony of our inspector smith or harrison if necessary since there was an admission we move into the finding of fact miss jen based on the admission and the testimony provided either written or verbal

Does the board find that the licensee violated section 6-304 and 6-309 of the alcoholic beverage and cannabis article and section 1.1 and 7.12 of the Frederick County alcoholic beverage regulations when the licensee or one of its employees sold, provided to, and allowed a minor to possess an alcoholic beverage? Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

That we will do the history and then the recommendation.

License was issued on March 20th, 2020, and they've held a license for approximately six years. They upgraded to beer and wine February 27th, 2026. They were originally beer only April 8th, 2024. They had a sales to minor were under deferred judgment until April 8th, 2026 and paid an administrative fee under that deferred judgment. They did complete the deferred judgment April 8th, 2026, but that stays on the record. until April 8th, 2027. That is our history. Staff recommendation will be very similar to the last case due to this being the second offense, a $1,500 fine, 250 administrative fee, mandatory VPC training, $200, class availability September 17th and October 8th, completion deadline for that training for VPC October 8th, Register within seven days with a two-year probation with a one-week suspension with no buyback option. That will be held in abeyance until the probation is completed. That is our recommendation. Turning it over to the board. Could you repeat the very last thing, the two-year probation? If any new violations occur during the probationary period, one-week suspension will be imposed with no buyback but held in abeyance during the probationary period.

Thank you.

Any questions of our director? By the board. And that's the direction for the licensing.

Alright, we want them to present first. OK, go ahead and present your case to us please.

Basically is. Done mistake with us, but. We are always. It's very clear that we should not, anyone should sell to minor.

And in future, it will not happen.

Okay. John?

I mean, Debbie. Sorry, I just have a few questions. How many employees do you have?

One full-time, one part-time. It says very small business, family-oriented.

And are both you involved in the business? Yes. So how? Are you there day to day?

Yeah, every day.

Are either of you the one full-time or the one part-time?

Yeah, he's full-time.

Okay, got you. So you're the two employees as well as the licensee is?

Yeah.

Okay, just making sure. I understood. This is a little different than the last one, so I'm making sure. Okay. Given this is the second, you know, it's still on the record. You just came out of the probation from the last one. What steps have you taken to try to really understand, make sure you're checking what happened the day of this infraction? Why? Because it says you did not request their I.D. So it's not that it was, oh, I made a mistake on the date. It was just not requested. So what are you both doing to ensure that you're requesting I.D. ?

We told them, try to check almost everyone whether they are 30 years or plus, but sometimes, because I remain there most of the time, sometimes people get annoyed. Then I show them a sticker that earlier we used to ask ID up to 27, but now the government has changed the rule to 30 years. That's why I'm asking. But sometimes... As a human being, they don't understand all that. They try to say, you are asking every time. I said, you look young, so we have to ask. This is our duty.

So is the clerk, so I just wanted to make sure I understand the employees there. So Tidiani, Davo, who was given the violation, are they a full-time employee? No. That's a part-time employee. Okay. And are they still working with the company? Yes. And so do you have an additional full-time employee beyond Mr. No, we try to do our full-time. Okay. Right. So have you put up reminders? Like what are some things that you're doing besides just talking to them? Are you doing anything else to try to really make sure people are asking for IDs? Are you sending in like secret shoppers? to test them before we come in with the compliance check, given this is, and I think we talked about this when you were in 24, testing yourself. Don't let us be the first ones to test you, and now you're sitting where you're sitting now.

Sorry about that. Really sorry about that. But we just tried to check all the IDs. I don't know what happened that day. He didn't check, or he thought, like, she's, like, not underage. So that's what happened.

I would strongly recommend that no matter what the age, you check ID. Yes. Because as you heard in what the board's recommendation is to the board or the administrator's recommendation to the board, you know, how much of your business depends on alcohol sales?

Not too much. Basically very minor. So might be 15%. Okay.

Okay. And just, you know, is there any language barrier that you're employing? Okay. So they know, they read English, they can understand. Okay. Have you registered at all for the violation prevention class? Okay.

They also have, you have 18 people listed as your alcohol awareness staff. And some of those maybe have left you. Maybe you don't have them anymore due to circumstances in the business. But the list that we have, there are 18 people listed. So there is only just...

They just come like part-time. So whenever they get another job, they just do it part-time. It's not like...

So do all 18 do some type of hours at some... No, no, no. Are they gone? So we need to get that list updated.

Yeah. Everybody's gone from there.

Okay.

Yeah. We need to update that list. Put that in motion. Yeah.

So... So... Out of the folks that are there now, and I'm just trying to make sure. So you're the full-time, and then you have this Mr. Part-Time, Mr. Dabo. Is there anybody else?

No, just the family members. My son-in-law comes sometimes. My son comes sometimes. All our license. Everybody has license.

Okay.

So, yeah.

Okay.

If we need extra help, they come and they help.

Okay.

we do vpc for given that scenario i know um and they and i just being familiar with the business it is a lot of like when they can't be there all the time or need a break or you know somebody from the family will come and help them out and they do make sure they're certified to work there but but yeah as far as understanding um i feel like you've but put a minimum on it of how many you want. It's really they need to understand. They need to make sure that when other staff comes to fill in, that they know what your threshold is. I want to clarify something for you, though. You say the government changed it from 27 to 30. They did not. There is no government change of what the expectation is for the minimum age of checking ID. You'll get that on WeCard ID, that's just an upsell to say, oh, it's gotta be 40, it's gotta be 35, it's gotta be this. It's not a threshold that we endorse. We don't endorse any thresholds like that because of people looking young. So I don't even say 27 or 35 because a lot of times they don't, some of your people that are helping you don't gauge age very well. So threshold ages to me are not acceptable. If you look young, you're getting carded. I mean, if you don't look like my grandma or my grandpa, you're getting carded. So that's where we go with it. We don't even like the threshold ages. But you operate your business as you wish, but then it puts you at risk for they could potentially sell to someone underage. So also keep that in mind. But for VPC, back to what you want to, again, a lot of family does fill in for them, what requirement the board wants. You know, if you want to, they can offer up suggestions of who they think should come.

So if you have someone, so out of your family that comes and fills in on a monthly basis, how often, how many employees are there at least two days a month?

My son-in-law comes at least two, three days. Okay. If we are on vacation, they cover my son, my daughter, all of them, they have via license. My two sons, son-in-law and my daughter. Okay.

And the person that sold, is that a family member? No.

Okay. That's a part-time job.

So with Commissioner Burrell, I just want to back her up. It's how do you expect the rules and regulations to be followed? How do you want the employees that help you work part-time, however, how are you going to do that so that they are aware of what the rules and regulations are?

We try to remind them the whole time that every day when they come, just be careful. Be careful. Just... Just see the ID. ID, just take the ID, yeah. But that did somehow just happen.

And there is no reason why you can't. I get ID'd. And there's no way that I'm under 30. There's no reason why you can't ID everybody in the world. That's your choice as the business owner. Yes. And if a customer gets aggravated, that's their problem.

Yes, but we have to follow the rule. Yeah, we have to follow that. We have to check the ID for sure.

So how are you going to do that moving forward with part-timers?

Like time to time, we call them and remind them.

Obviously, that's not working.

We should get the scanner or something to check the ID.

The scanner we have, you have given the scanner and they have a scanner too.

Do you as the owners and license holders have a way of monitoring that your rules are being followed?

All the time. Yeah.

How do you monitor that?

You know, if he's home or I am home, we always like to see the cameras. that everything is okay or something is wrong we just call them right away is that recorded so you can see what happened yes so have both of you read your regulation book yes yes okay and your part-timers all of them you've all read it yes that's pretty impressive everybody um

Debbie, I don't know what to do.

So I think I'm I think I got a motion. We could try. OK, Chris, do you want to say something?

No, wait till the. Weigh in.

So Madam Chair, I move that the board concur with the administrators recommendation of a fine of $1500 with the administrative fee of $250 with violation prevention class. It's a one time fee of 200. The licensees, all employees that I would say for your family members that come in, those that are there two to three days or more a month need to take the violation prevention class. It is a very good class on carding on all the rules of the business. must be registered for in seven days and taken by September 17th or the October 8th class, but must be completed by October 8th. I recommend that the two-year probation with a one-week suspension if the probation is violated with no buyback option. And I do implore you to make the decision of who's there that at least two to three days a month, because you want to make sure that they also are carding. So that violation prevention class would be helpful. And the update on the... And yeah, I don't know what the form is called. The update on... What's the form called? The alcohol awareness listing. You also must update the alcohol awareness of who are your current employees and family members. who are trained that come assist you.

Can you request for if you can do something? It's a very small business. Just request for that if you can.

Well, we've got to get a second, and then you can talk about it.

Yeah, I'll second it so we can talk.

Okay.

Now, go ahead and ask us whatever you wanted to ask.

I just request to ask you if you guys can do something. less for fine.

I don't agree with lowering it. I might agree to a payment.

So I would agree for a payment plan over three months. I've said divide to 500 a month over three months. Must be paid by November. Is that right? I did three months, right? I think so. Yes, ma'am. Must be paid by November 30th.

For all three fees, if you did, it's $1,950 divided by three would be $650 a month. So it would be the $1,500, the $250, and the $200 if you add it all together. So it would be $650 per month if they broke it down into a three-month payment plan.

Would you like to amend your motion for that? So I'll amend the motion to allow for a three-month payment plan. It must be paid by November. Yes, but the first installation must be paid within 24 hours. Chris, will you accept that?

Second, yeah.

Okay.

What would you like them to pay? Do you want anything within the first 24 hours, or do you want to get them the first payment? I did the first. I know the 650 would be due in 24 hours. 24 hours, got it. Sorry, I was looking. Okay.

I understand that.

Yes. Okay.

Does that assist you? Thank you. So 650 for the next three months. Madam Chair, I think the focus on your family members and just even posting a small sign next to the register alone to make sure that your family members are aware, it's going to take some of the burden off you as well. I can only imagine if you're there every day, full time.

Ten hours every day. You're holding down the fort by yourself. My hobby is costing me too much now.

Yeah, and again, Bobby, I'm doing this. Yeah, I would just say the family needs to come to your to your aid since it is a family business. If you want to keep it in the family again, it's. I know you're already thinking this way, I'm sure. Yeah, it's so. Those would be the individuals I'd really focus in on really underscoring the training and the reeducation with dawn so it doesn't happen again. As Madam Chair has said several other times today, we do not want to see this portion of your business suspended next time with your suspension. So whatever you can do, however, we can continue to assist. And I know Dawn is always a phone call away to do so. We want to see you succeed.

Even if you have a question, if you don't understand something. Yeah. We're there to educate.

Thank you so much for your help.

Okay. So did we, no, we didn't, but all those in favor? Aye. Aye. 3-0. All right. Dawn or staff will be in touch with you. And the fine, the first fine needs to be paid within 24 hours. The first installment, I'm sorry, but she'll be in touch with you or staff will be in touch with you. All right. Thank you very much. And I hope I never see you again. Thank you. Thank you. Our last violation for the morning is East Street Liberty. Please join us at the front.

I just want to thank you. I want to talk to you.

Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Missions, please raise your right hand and respond. I will follow them in the matter of East Street Liberty violation. Do you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury that testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners and that an outpending will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? If so, say I will, followed by your name.

I will, Terry Bentz.

I will, Linda Bentz.

I will, Christopher Smith.

I will, Dawn Sugars. Thank you.

All right. You are here before us today. You were issued a violation on about June 25th. I'm sorry. I lost track. Do you wish to admit or deny the violation, and do you understand what either means?

We're admitting it. Admitting it. And we do understand.

Thank you. Thank you. With the admission, I will read the charges into the record. On June 25, 2026, at approximately 2.25 p.m., a minor entered East Street Liberty. The minor, who was 19 years old at the time, attempted to purchase a Rita's Strawberry Rita. The minor reported the clerk did not request to see the identification and proceeded with the sale. Shortly thereafter, liquor board inspector entered the establishment and cited the clerk, who was later identified as Jason Creviston, for the violation. A civil citation in the amount of $125 was issued to the clerk. With the admission, we will enter the exhibits into the record. Exhibit A, notice of violation dated June 26th. Exhibit B, the incident report dated June 25th. And the exhibit C is the buyer's report dated June 25th. if necessary, testimony of our officers, Inspector Harrison or Inspector Smith. With that admission, we will go right into the finding of fact.

Jen, please.

Based on the admission and the testimony provided, either written or verbal, does the board find that the licensee violated Section 6-304 and Section 6-309 of the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Article and Section 1.1 and 7.12 of the Frederick County alcoholic beverage regulations when the licensee or one of its employees sold, provided to, and allowed a minor to possess an alcoholic beverage. Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Defining a fact, we'll move into the history. Yeah.

What the board has before then, this is gonna be a little bit different. So I wanna make sure that I point out all the significant factors because you will see here, we have what looks like an extensive history, but I wanna make clear that under the new ownership for six years from 2020 to 2026, there is a new entity that owns this, which is Terry and Linda together, Turlin Incorporated. There has been no violation history. Typically, they would qualify for a letter of compromise for their first offense. But because Linda appeared on the licenses prior, no ownership, no ownership. We have to read the history into the record. And we've talked about this. So I don't want it to paint the picture. And I'll explain it as I go of, you know, that there's these sales to minors that are out there under this. This is just read into the record because that's we have to do what follows the licensee and read that into the record. So this license has been around for over 35 years. So 1230, 1991, there was ADH Incorporated, which was Mary, Eugenia, Benz, and Pamela. And 8-14-2020, it transferred to Linda and Terry, which became Turlin Incorporated. Linda went on the license somewhere between 2000 and 2009. We can't confirm the exact date because of our records. It was so old, some of it got shredded. But just the history is really based on Linda appearing on the license. So 8-2-2000, there was a sales to minor for ADH Incorporated, guilty $300. Linda was on the license, no ownership. 5-16-2011, sales to minor, ADH Incorporated. There were two cases heard at the same time. A 30-day suspension, 20 of that was suspended, one-year probation, but Linda was on the license, no ownership. Sales to minor in 11-14-2011, ADH Incorporated. Case was dismissed. Linda was on the license, no ownership. 6-19-2017, sales to minor, ADH Incorporated. Case dismissed. Linda was on the license, no ownership. There was a did-not-sell, 118-2024, under Turlin Incorporated, under the new ownership. Again, I want to emphasize there's a 35-year history with the license, and then Linda and Terry bought out the ADH Incorporated, became Turlin, and there has been no violation history. Our recommendation is going to go based off of that. It's going to request like we would on a letter of compromise. But with them coming before the board, we are going to recommend a $1,000 fine be imposed, but held in abeyance during a probationary period of one year. If something would occur, a major, a must appear offense, that $1,000 would come back. That would be imposed. But if probation is completed satisfactory, there will be no fine imposed. Administrative fee of $250,000, that stays. Mandatory training of violation prevention, that stays as a recommendation. completion of classes, obviously, by October 8th. The two classes available are the September 17th and October 8th, registration within seven days. Again, we are not recommending anything here that's outside of the letter of compromise, except for suspending that fine and holding it in abeyance. Because of their track record, because of the history, history meaning under the new ownership, there has been no sales to minors. So that is why we are looking to not have them have anything truly imposed besides the $250 and the $200. Okay.

Thank you, Tom. This is not on you so much as the fact that I drive home so often license holders that are in name only because of this exact situation. You're being held responsible for because you were on the license, you're the license holder, that's where the buck stopped. And I'm constantly saying to people, you're not a license holder in name only. It's gonna fall on their shoulders, whether you as an owner offer to pay the fine or whatever, it's still falling on their shoulders. Now it's come back to maybe bite you. So anybody in the public that's listening, just listen. All right. Debbie, Chris, do you have anything for Don?

No.

All right, then I'm going to turn over to you and lead your case. Okay.

Well, first off, there is no excuse. This should have never happened. It did. We do take it very seriously. We've been running it. We actually work this business ourselves, along with two other employees. It is a very small business. Our manager made a mistake, and that's plain and simple. There's no reason. We have all the safeguards in the world. We have our POS system ask you, is the person old enough if they buy alcohol or if they buy tobacco? He didn't follow the procedure. I mean, it's very plain and simple. And we have no excuse for it. He has no excuse for it. We did not fire him because... He is an extremely good worker, made a very bad, costly mistake, obviously, but he is an excellent worker. So we're trying to retrain him. We're going to have him take the training and obviously, and we've also set up for the industry forum that we're going to have everybody attend. But that's our first offense. We hope that you understand, but we hope it never happens again.

Does this employee understand? And you're more than welcome. God forbid you never come back, but you're more than welcome to always bring the employees. They understand.

Well, actually, he's working this morning because.

Oh, because you're here. Because we're here.

We're very small staff.

It's for you.

Oh, absolutely.

We understand that. We understand. They need to understand the consequences.

Yes, ma'am. Totally understand that.

Okay, Commissioner Burrell.

So, like, since this has happened, like, what, I know you have a point-of-sale system, but if you override the point-of-sale or don't follow, so what are you doing to ensure that they card everybody? Because it says he didn't card. So if he would have card, he would have seen the vertical ID.

And we do not accept those from anybody. So it would have been an immediate No sale, but he didn't do his job. But as far as that goes, and we went from, we used to card pretty much anybody that we didn't feel was old enough to be the employee's parent. Now there's no option. They card everybody that buys alcohol or tobacco, and there is no exceptions.

Now, does your point of sale change? I know there's different systems out there, but does it require seeing the ID or punching? I've seen some where it scans the back.

It does scan the back of the ID, yes.

Okay. So how did he... So was that in place then or was it... That's been in place for years.

I mean, we had all the safeguards in place, but he just failed to do his job.

How does the system allow the sale then?

You can override it. I mean, if you... It'll ask you if the person's old enough. If you over, you can actually just push, you can default and it will override for the older, you know, the mature customer who we, or the regular customer we see every day. But now, since that happened, we're not going with that. You now have to put, you have to scan their ID.

Okay. So they have no option to default?

No.

Gotcha.

What's the percentage of your business's alcohol?

Probably 33%, 35%, something like that, yeah.

Even with the gas?

Yeah. Oh, yeah, gas is minimal.

Well, no kidding. We can't afford that.

We can't afford it ourselves.

And then do you sell food? Is it like a little Martin side where you're selling food and other things, sandwiches?

We have very few sandwiches. It's mostly snacks, candies, that type of thing.

Ice cream, your typical convenience store food. Okay.

But we're so small that we don't make our own sandwiches or anything like that. We have some prepackaged stuff.

Then you said you had two owners and then two employees, right? So we're all together. Right.

Is everyone trained?

Yes. Yes. Your training list is up to date? Oh, they are very good about it. Just them having to come here today.

It's very embarrassing, let me assure you, because we've been friends.

Really, I couldn't waive the, if I would have, could have offered them the letter of compromise, they would have paid a thousand dollar fine and pled guilty. Wouldn't give them the option to come here with that type of history and be able to get the board to waive that fine. So I determined that they should come before you so that that could be requested.

And I appreciate that. And the only thing we do ask the board is that since we only have four employees and both those courses take, The fact during our open hours that we allow our two employees and either myself or my wife to come to the training session instead of all four of us.

Can we do it? You've got two different dates. So you can do it. We can do it two different dates. Okay. We can opt.

Okay. That's fine. We can do that.

We will offer it. And again, for them, this is an exemplary licensee. I say under the Turlin Inc., we are going to do it once a month. So we are. We have September and October. We'll do it again in November. We just haven't put the November dates out. We'll be in September. We will be. Yeah.

Go right ahead.

So I'm sure we concur with the administrator's recommendation that the board impose a thousand dollar fine, which will be held in abeyance, a one year probationary period. If anything happens in that one year, that's a must appear offense. That thousand dollar fine will need to be paid within 24 hours. An administrative fee of two hundred fifty dollars and a violation prevention class. It's one fee for all employees. Two hundred dollars. That must be completed either September 17th or October 8th and registered for within seven days of the hearing.

Okay. Any further discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye. All right. And do you understand what we just did? Yes, ma'am. Don and staff will be in touch with you.

And you'll send it either with a, A check if you need to for the 250.

Okay. Okay. Yeah. We'll make sure it gets taken care of today.

And just remember, if there is a second offense in that year, it also triggers the state law of two offenses can equal to a mandatory suspension. That's just something we have no way around that. Okay. Just it's understood.

Yeah, absolutely. Well, we thank the board.

Thank you.

Thank you for helping us out with this. I mean, it's still embarrassing, but.

It's embarrassing, but it happens.

And hopefully we learn from it. I mean.

To help you in any way. Absolutely. And we certainly thank you.

Right. And that's what we told our manager when we left today. It's like we just said, you know, hopefully you've learned a great lesson from this because it will never happen again. Because if it does, you will be here.

Yeah, because the business couldn't sustain it.

We're such a small business.

I would recommend don't let us be the first to test you. I'll say that to the new licensees trying to come in, test your employees. You know, in the neighborhood, whatever, just to see. Because you can't be there all the time, and you do have to rely on others.

Absolutely.

Much better that you catch them.

Exactly.

Absolutely.

Guys, thank you so much. Thank you very much.

Thank you. You're welcome.

We are going to, did anybody need a break? All right, we are going to go into new applications. And the reason, and I know you've been sitting here very patiently, violations are the exact reason why we do application blast. I want you to see, we want you to see, Commissioner Burrell implemented this years ago. And it's very important that we show the violations and what could happen. So, okay.

That really helped us to what not to do.

That's what I call putting the fear of God in you. Let me see. Our first one. Please say it out loud so I don't screw it up. Creperie. Creperie. I like the way it sounds. Please join us. Creperie. Creperie. Creperie.

So I'm Leonard, my wife, Julia, but I am the licensee, but she's the chef. Okay.

But once again, you're both the owners?

Yes. But I'm the license holder, ma'am.

I love seeing the licensee and the owners being meshed together because so often we see the licensee in name only. Ultimately, yes, it's your business, but the burden falls on the licensee's shoulders.

Okay. Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, use your right hand and respond, I will follow. In the matter of Adderley A. Cravery application, you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners in the matter not pending will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If so, state I will, followed by your name.

Will. Leonard Cousinall.

I will, Julia Cousin.

I will, Clinton Herschel.

Hello, Dawn Sugars. Thank you. What the board has before them today is a request for a new application for a Class B beer and wine license. The open items are the business license they did. You can check off the workers comp because they turned that in today. As you can see, Leonard is very organized. Ashley is probably very happy to see all your binders. Yes. The establishment phone number, which will happen once they're under construction, they're remodeling inside. But your opening date, what is your projected opening date?

We hope by the end of October. October 31st.

Okay. So the other open items are health, zoning, and occupancy go together. We have an inspector's report that I will have Inspector Harrison go ahead and give for us.

July 22nd, 2026, I performed a new license inspection at the Lake Treasury located at 899. Keep butchering it. During my inspection, I met with the applicant who was applying for a class B beer and wine license. The establishment was not open and operating at the time of my inspection. The projected opening date is October 15th, 2026. The notice of public hearing was posted on the front window of the establishment. On July 22nd, 2026, an incoordinated inspection will be required before the license can be issued.

And then I have a note here. Have you guys reached out to health? Have you started to apply for your health licensing? And then obviously your zoning and occupants obviously will come when you have all the inspections done. They've never held a license before. This is brand new. And I'll turn it over to the board to ask questions.

All right, so I just want to, JSL Holdings, based off of the ownership, is?

Myself, 25%, my wife, 25%, and Stella, who's my first cousin. She's the other 50%.

Gotcha, okay, because I see it added to 150%. So that's why I was looking at it like, okay, I'm missing the math. 25, 25, and 50. Gotcha. Okay. Okay, so these are just underneath of this.

Oh, the company's name is the first one. Right. That's why I was like, okay, something's not adding up.

Okay. Gotcha.

All right. Would you present your case notes? You guys, if I may. So this is the logo, and I know we have a hard time saying atelier, but that's okay. Atelier. The word atelier in French means an artisan craftsmanship, typically reserved for tailor shops. So in France...

I'm wearing a pastry. Exactly.

So reserved for the French arts of Taylor. Very common in Eastern Europe. Both Julie and I are Ukrainian born. I came here when I was 10 years old. Grew up in Baltimore. But the logo is basically a crepe with a strawberry that's being sewn in with a needle. So that's how that... Typically reserved for kind of like craftsmanship artisan. Julie is a pastry chef. We've traveled extensively. We are, by the way, we're the first creperie in Frederick County. There's creperie in Carroll County. There's creperies in Montgomery County. I mean, I know she hates when I say this, but we're basically a French Chipotle. She hates when I say that. But so as you know, you go to Chipotle, they have a burrito. The creperies are more artisanal. So we make crepes. Don't call it. yeah i know i know but i think our side yeah yeah so it's uh we're we're a creperie we make uh two to three kinds of different uh crepe bases we're actually going to have a gluten-free crepe and uh the fillings are going to be all so the crepe is assembled for each each unique for a customer they're freshly prepared okay and uh because we're so we we've traveled we love the with the French Francophile approach to this, we wish to introduce French wine pairings to this entire concept. And this is why we're here before you. And cider, yeah. I don't foresee us selling beer. Actually, in France, distilled spirits are not really part of their thing. France is famous for cognac, but it's not really the French thing. So we're pretty much going to stick with French wine. And ciders, yeah.

What building are you in?

So we took over the old Starbucks location on College Park Plaza. Oh, okay. 7th Street. We're right across the street from the hospital.

Gotcha.

We're still under the Starbucks exclusives umbrella. So we're kind of, you know, we're tied to what we can and cannot do because they're still part of that property. But that only applies to the coffee that we can prepare. But overall, you know, it's a corner location. They have a beautiful... Well, they had they had outdoor seating there. And so once we get a rendering that I want to share with the board in terms of how it's going to look. Yeah. So this is what we propose. And Inspector Harrison came out and saw it. So it's kind of like an outdoor area because we have a side door that goes into the location. It's going to be cordoned off where it's either going to be. either toll benches or planters. We're going to put some decorative railing, but it's going to be very well delineated in terms of what that place is. After hearing everything, we are on a toast system. We're going to be requiring identification for all customers. So hope to see you with your government issued ID. So, you know, the system will not allow to be overridden at all. We are cashless. That was a decision that we made early, just so the software can stop a sale if needed be. So there's no, we are going to be a cashless operation. It makes tracking easier. It makes controls easier. We ran Claydory Pastry Shop in Mount Airy in the back of the Upper Deck parking lot. Julia is the pastry chef there.

Wait a minute. I've been there like lots of times. It's in the back of the parking lot. And I drove by it like a dozen times before I found it the first time. Unbelievable pastries. She's the chef. Oh, my God. I turned so many people on to that, and then you left.

But it was something that we couldn't scale. It was too artisanal. Gotcha. So we decided to continue with the French skill and the French art. And Julia, you know, I'm a semi-retired ER doctor by trade, just FYI. but she will not let me retire. So I can fix any piece of commercial kitchen equipment. I kid you not.

Yeah.

I know Balaji would like the backup.

I think I recognize him. So we're selling. Yeah.

Yeah. That's, that was us. So, um, but Julia loves to do what she does. And, uh, Well, just, you know, as a heads up, we've got a USPTO pending, an atelier creperie, and we'll see where this goes.

And I followed you on Facebook and all your...

Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Well, best of luck with that.

Thank you.

Commissioners? All right, so not related to alcohol, but your pastries be made from scratch? Everything. Everything. Even the...

Yes. Just crepes? Crepes, waffles.

Yeah, the waffles are going to be off the rails. I'm the taste hunter.

Like quiche. Based on crepes?

Yeah. So Julia is very cognizant of dietary issues. We got allergy matrixes posted. We're going to have gluten-free crepes that are just off the rails and delicious.

I think that's going to be a huge draw for you. So quick question on your seating arrangement.

So everything's outside? No. So indoors, I don't know if you've all ever been inside of the old Starbucks. The way they arranged it, I didn't bring my PDF floor plan thing, but... The way Starbucks did it is they had bar seating up against the window when you walk in. The space is not large. The space is 1,400 square total, and there's a long hallway in the back, which is going to be for – oh, sir, there you go. You got it. Yes. I was trying to figure it out. Yeah, so – Basically bar seating and – Two tables, and we're going to have one handicapped accessible table. per code, probably towards the back. As far as you can see, the flow, that back door right there, as the drawing is facing me, there's an access door that's going to go to the outdoor patio. So there's only really one access into it, because we're going to coordinate all from the front to sides on all sides. That decorative is TBD. We think we like the planters. Julia saw amazing decorative French benches and this beautiful ornate style. But it's going to be very flowery and very, yeah, very European. Very European touch to it. Thank you.

Are you putting those like crystal chandeliers, like cake bacon?

I don't think we're going to go that far, but.

Definitely gotten off track. Sorry. But it's interesting. Don't spend your money for it.

No, I, she does it very nicely.

And you're strictly, I don't know how to say this. Are you cornered into the Starbucks coffee market? Is that what you're saying?

So we are under, because the landlord still, so the way the Starbucks did it, they didn't have drive-through capability. Right. So they built their own location, but technically it's part of the landlord's property. So we are, we can't do certain coffees that we would love to do. So it's part of the Starbucks. We can do coffee. It's going to be amazing. It's going to be French press percolator style coffee. I can't tell you where I got it from. I'm not allowed because we can't brand it. It has to be untraded. It is what it is. Yeah. So just because if Starbucks is watching us right now, I'll say right now, you're going to have the most amazing coffee. I just, I can't tell you where it comes from.

So how much time, I mean, max time before you think you can open up your doors?

So we hope by the end of October, we physically signed the lease, kind of like in mid-June. The permits were just being submitted. Mike Goldsmith from GCD is our architect. So we are in the permitting process. I mean, they have it. In fact, my signed permit was kicked back because Mike didn't submit the original permit. So we are, you know, but we want to make sure that we get our ducks in a row. Both of us have completed a wonderful class with Dawn on the AA training I was here for my ABLE training. And yeah, I think the other two, everything that we heard so far, Dawn, you made that perfectly clear about that five-day rule on your inclusion. Just as a third-party observer, her being as our instructor, that five-day rule was loud and clear.

She's a little animated.

No, no, she's wonderful. It was amazing. And I can see, I'm not quite sure what the, for us, we didn't understand the concept. For us, an infusion in Ukraine, we make it what we call a hrynovka, which is a horseradish thing. It's a delicacy.

Okay.

But I think from hearing, I think it's a workflow issues. And I never realized that cocktails were made pre-made. Is that the concept for that infusion? And that's how I got it. There's a lot of sangrias and stuff like that. Yes, yes, yes. But I guess it's not our thing, but. Our idea of an infusion would be a Bellini, and you take a bottle of champagne, and you open it, and you put some orange juice in it. But that's going to be right in front of the customer, because you're going to lose the fizzle. It's kind of hard to infuse a Bellini. But I think the concept is just to bring the French theme to Frederick, to bring a European concept.

I think that's wonderful.

We make amazing wines. I mean, we've been to Napa. We've been to upstate New York, to Finger Lake regions. Finger Lakes got some great wines. They have amazing. Frank Constantine and Wagners and things like that. So, I mean, but the French know their thing. Sancerre and, you know, the Burgundy Road from Dijon, Bonne-Léon. We've traveled. We lived in a van for two months. Good for you. We spent 3,000 kilometers throughout all of France.

It sounds like you've got a heck of a story to tell your customers. Yes, yes, yes, yes. So, I'm glad to see you back.

I'm very glad. Thank you. Thank you. But I think the French concept is unique. It'll be appreciated. It's, you know, we have tremendous visibility on 7th Street, right across the street from the hospital. I can tell you our nurses are going to be our biggest customers. I mean, they're, you know, and the crepe is very easy to go. They can dine with us or they can take it to go.

What is it? I used to work in Annapolis, and I bet you know. Is it Miss Charlotte's? There's a crepe place down there.

Yeah, I know up on Market House, they have a French paste chef there as well, and And Francis is very, yeah.

And Frederick. We know him personally.

Yeah.

So.

Okay. We're back up here. If you've got any more questions, also check the public, see if there's any comments from the public. There's no one on from the public.

I would go out beyond October 31st, just in case we do run into any ups or, you know, I would definitely go out beyond October 31st.

Like I said, this concept is food-based. The wine is an accent. I mean, I really don't know. I can't predict the sales of wine. I wish I could.

You don't need to other than the ratio between wines.

I can't imagine. It's, you know, it's an accent. It's not the main draw for the place.

All right, so Madam Chair, I'm prepared to make a motion that the board grant conditional approval to Atelier Creperie through December 31st, 2026 with the approval of staff of all the outstanding items in relationship to all state, local and county ordinances, laws and regulations.

Second.

All right. Any further discussion on it?

No.

Then all those in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Aye. Aye. We welcome you to Frederick County. Very much. Missed you in Carroll County. I guess I was Carroll County.

Wait until December 31st, but we gave that latitude just in case.

Of course. Thank you. Thank you. And, guys, we are your ambassadors. We take this responsibility with all seriousness. Thank you very much. There's enough manuals prepared with, like, anyway.

And our notebook clean down here. We'll give you more if you need them. Just make sure all your employees, should you have any, need the regular patients.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Let Don know when you're going to have your expand open. Of course. All right. We are back up here again. Is it our last case that we've kept you waiting so long for? Please join us up front.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Yeah, thanks for your patience.

Oh yes, thank you.

Before we start, I'd like to request one thing or one of our partner Paru. She had an emergency. She had to go to India.

Oh yeah, she's gonna join us.

I'm right here. I'm right here. Good morning everyone.

Good morning. Can you please like his holders are?

Everyone I said yeah, I got Tucker. And she's she's OK. Alright, you able to turn your camera on?

It's night time here.

I'm in a moving vehicle, so bear with me.

It's a different time zone.

Oh, much better. Everyone who's prepared to give testimony to the Board of Licensed Commissioners, please raise your right hand and respond with, I will, following the oath. In the matter of Diablo Bar application, do you solemnly declare and affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you're about to give to the Board of Licensed Commissioners for the matter now pending will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If so, state, I will, followed by your name. I will.

I will.

I will.

Thank you all for being so patient. As you heard me say, we do the violations on purpose first so that you know what could and won't happen because you'll never break a rule. I will turn it over to John to present the case and then we will look to you to Tell us why we should give you a Frederick County liquor license.

All right. What the board has before them today is a request for approval of a new application for Diablo Bar Class B beer, wine and liquor. The open items are a finalized deed lease with some exhibits, which I know we've been back and forth on a little bit. Retail sales and use business license workers comp. the outside i would i want to talk about a couple things because this is unique this is a 24 7 pickleball court uh location but the diablo bar will be a partner inside of that pickleball 24 7 access so we have open because they're still under construction somewhat i know they did a grand opening this weekend not you guys so much pickleball did with health zoning occupancy tax releases we have inspector reports And I want to point out the ABLE training that licensee parole and the manager omit did not attend the ABLE training. But I'll go back to that here in a minute as soon as we get the inspector to do the inspector's report.

On 24th July, 2026, I, Christopher Smith, acting in the capacity of liquor inspector for the Frederick County Liquor Board, went to Diablo Bar located at 355 Ballinger Center Drive. A full new license inspection could not be completed due to the establishment undergoing construction. A re-inspection will be required at completion. I noticed a public hearing sign was posted in the window that allows the public to have full view of it in accordance with 20-1405.

And these two licensees or applicants have not held a license before, but Parole has. We do have a history that was sent in to us from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. And she does have a history of, they have an ABC license under Uncle Jalapeno Mexican Bar and Grill. And there was a written warning in 10-30-2025 for purchasing a beer or wine except for cash on or about 11-6-2025, the licensee purchased wine and beer. other than cash at the time of delivery. They might have a real strict rule about cash or not cash in Virginia. So another written warning was issued 11-16-2024 for failure to submit an annual report to the board. A written warning was issued 4-19-2024 for purchasing an alcoholic beverage from the board except for cash. There must be, again, something with Virginia and their cash. And then the check was dishonored for 19, 2024, 12, 18, 2023. Again, that same cash situation. And then they purchased wine or beer for resale from another person other than a wholesaler in the Commonwealth. So a little bit of history on Ms. Parul Patel. for a Virginia license that she held. If the board wants to ask her for explanations on some of those things, they can. But these two young men in front of you have never held a license before and do not have a violation history. I also want to point out that this is a corporation. So therefore, because we have discussed this, them two being here in front of us, they're going to run the show. The rule and her husband are involved, but because they're a corporation, three people have to appear on a license. So we talked about, you know, they were like, can we just remove or do we change our business structure? There's been conversations about having to be here, not attending ABLE. These guys are going to be the ones that are actively involved in the business and running it every day to day. So just want to point that out to the board as well.

But we have four people listed as ownerships.

Right, but in a corporation, by law, only three must appear.

Is it Parul?

Can you explain in a very quick summary what Virginia was talking about with the cash?

Ma'am, I took over. I was a 50-50% partner initially for the Uncle Blessings. And then I took over in... uh much later so this was with the history of my ex-partner so they had purchased uh from a grocery store we have we were out of wine it was just a one-off and they had gone purchasing wine from i think a grocery store close by not not a big amount it was about four or five bottles and that is what caused the issue So I was not completely aware of the rules then. And one of my bartenders, because we were out of wine, he just went and purchased and we were serving that. So that was a little background there. And of course, after that, we kind of raised up to that. And that definitely never happened again.

And so that was the cash situation that they talk about.

That's right. That's right. Yes, yes, yes. That's right.

OK, thank you.

Sure.

All right. If you have no questions for Don, I'll ask. Present your case to us. Tell us why we should allow. And you're going to have to explain to us how this is going to work because it is new. So we'll have lots of questions.

No problem. We're not completely prepared for this yet. But since this is our first time, we are a Diablo bar. It's a bar and grill restaurant, which is like inside the facility of a pickle bar court. There are it's a 24 hour facility, but we are only planning on opening from as of now. The hours of operations for Diablo Bar and Grill is going to be from on Sunday through Thursday. It's going to be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. And on Friday to Saturday, it's going to be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. But then we're also planning on having like a dance night and such, which might cause us to close around like 1 o'clock. But we're planning on like cutting the sale of the alcohol, like respecting all the rules of the board and all the liquor license rules. We are planning on not going, we're going to stop the sale and we're going to close down the bar, but they will still have the music going on. It could be going on for like maybe like a two o'clock. And we have, for the security purposes, we have those rolling down doors to close down on the bars. And we have all the cabinets where we're going to store our liquor, and we're going to have all the locks on them. To secure all the liquor.