[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6174052,"mediaKeyId","5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048","parentId",5376212,"title","Board grants conditional approvals for new licenses and premise extensions, sets contingencies","audioSeconds",186,"startMs",2586000,"endMs",2772000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048&start=2586&end=2772","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048/thumbnail_2586000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174052/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-grants-conditional-approvals-for-new-licenses-and-premise-extensions-sets-contingencies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174052-2034bff935b3da4c28c6d0d4e0a8c3ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153496&Signature=Cjlpqpx9wNeyf-9XMLOF95zZ4dpdfHEWKQQ3SSl5nVFV2cCbk-y9r4sJd5g9dCKo4hCW1fabc-Jwn3nvdfQzLng4~vfMfomPelGux1E-72k6bD-77RAbHe0qx6NtyYBuuUNock2SWSHDAy6q6A9tPo7EFpqUh4m375pN7uRJ~eputOs03OFW3u54sI0loAqLgCSCmVCRQkpARQXlLb~L73Lg9jnPANkDdBZcrNN2xgy9EswJFyUGdyfJstb0OAF9yK-7DxD6r4HdXAd0clULtHv77wojflIr7VB97Nr8P-Fm9xsdnYkCNx-M1-lG8y5R9iUM4o4xdIsNDnd86LxZ~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-07-11T07:51:12Z","article","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on July 9, 2025 approved a series of applications for new licenses and premise extensions, setting standard public‑safety and administrative contingencies such as fire marshal, use‑and‑occupancy (UNO) and comptroller clearances.

Why it matters: approvals affect where licensed alcohol may be served in the county, and the board imposed targeted conditions to ensure compliance with building, health and tax authorities before full licensure or permanent extensions take effect.

Seventh District Waterfront Bar & Grill — conditional approval
Angela N. Hill applied to purchase a Class B (restaurant) beer, wine and liquor license to operate as Seventh District Waterfront Bar and Grill at 36786 Bushwood Wharf Road, Bushwood. The board granted a 30‑day conditional approval pending final fire marshal sign‑off and a finalized use‑and‑occupancy certificate; the applicant must provide documentation to the board administrator to complete the conditional approval.

La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill — 90‑day contingency for new Class B license
Applicants Giselle Ramirez Palacios, Jose A. Contreras and Alex Casanova Marquez applied for a Class B (restaurant) license to operate as La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill at 227673 Notch Road, California. The board approved the application subject to a 90‑day condition: submission of a business license, health department approval, fire marshal approval and a corrected application (applicants initialed and corrected application errors during the hearing).

Botanic Cafe — license and outdoor seating extension approved
Leah F. Horner applied for a Class B (restaurant) license and extension of premises at 22720 Duke Street, Leonardtown (Botanic Cafe). After the board confirmed measurements and drawings for a new outdoor seating area, members voted to approve the application; board staff said required paperwork was complete and the license would be available once administrative steps were finalized.

Old Town Pub — temporary extension approved conditionally for July 25 event
Old Town Pub licensees requested a temporary extension of premises and an outdoor serving counter for a “Christmas in July” event on July 25, 2025. The board approved the temporary extension conditioned on receipt of notarized letters from two additional licensees (Joseph Drury and Jason Burrows) confirming their agreement with the request; the licensee must submit those letters to the board administrator before the event.

Potomac Garden — permanent outdoor expansion approved with comptroller contingency
Angela Watson sought a permanent increase in outdoor extension of premise by 3,270 square feet. The board approved the permanent extension subject to final comptroller clearance (the comptroller's office had an outstanding hold that staff expected to resolve within 30 days).

Angelica's Kitchen — 90‑day extension of conditional approval
Angela Funia asked for a 90‑day extension to a conditional approval for Angelica's Kitchen at Historic St. Mary's City. The board granted the 90‑day extension; applicant said a contractor selection process at the state level was underway with a projected completion date in October.

What the board required: across approvals the board repeatedly conditioned final licensure or permanent status on documentary sign‑offs from the fire marshal, health department, use‑and‑occupancy, business licensing or comptroller as appropriate. Applicants were reminded of appeal rights and administrative timelines.

Sources: sworn testimony and administrative filings presented at the July 9, 2025 Alcohol Beverage Board public hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/10/25 Alcohol Beverage Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on July 9, 2025 approved a series of applications for new licenses and premise extensions, setting standard public‑safety and administrative contingencies such as fire marshal, use‑and‑occupancy (UNO) and comptroller clearances.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174058,"St. Mary's County board fines four establishments after sheriff's underage compliance checks",1759,248000,2007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048&start=248&end=2007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6174058/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-board-fines-four-establishments-after-sheriffs-underage-compliance-checks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174058-d2073a3618f1f3e65c0e1af98b8f5c86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153496&Signature=d973Id3BKDxLDd62yoMYjrjZlY0LorKvoZYluseY2KnDXq~M-KxF5ibXuQ62v-wftRXZ7yuRKXptrDHYRUtLnONCD4BrB2fZ5v95pEGlQbQCUTOVnQK2C5kwFuTEnhAzx2cnqOqeF4AjCOZILDVzJ1fV0rocThu3NtTeUnGGoj-UOS8K38p4UF4u3L1oa-Wa1QrWXaQmqJdoJUZKaOu16jt37M4~3oQlvy2HaamKQr2Xes95QBysAdpJmY4g3kVR1TeKRqZwnkKV-Ahx0J9nCPlC2bfrI39e5UYXNCwd2a6YfUbzMaR~MJDogmx19ew1siUcTckRZRvj2jixYgZDQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on July 9, 2025 imposed fines, training requirements and a one‑day suspension on several licensees after sheriff's office alcohol compliance checks found servers sold alcoholic beverages to a 19‑year‑old confidential informant.

The board cited violations of §6‑304 of the Alcoholic Beverages Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and section 5.04(j) of the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County rules and regulations in all four matters. The board read facts from sheriff's office reports that a confidential informant, accompanied by special‑operations officers, ordered alcoholic beverages and was served despite lacking ID.

Why it matters: the board used the compliance checks to apply penalties ranging from modest fines to a $2,500 penalty plus a suspension, underscoring the county's enforcement of underage‑sale laws and the board's updated penalty authority.

Front Porch (22770 Washington Street, Leonardtown)
Licensees Jordan Walker and Jeffrey P. Lewis were cited after a server, identified in the record as Taylor Kathleen Staley, served a glass of Pinot Grigio to the confidential informant on April 29. The board's record shows Staley “failed to ask the confidential informant for any identification” before or after service and later admitted the lapse when contacted by enforcement personnel.
Owner testimony described existing policies and steps taken after the incident: staff TAM certification, a WeCard secret‑shopping service, daily reminders, and termination of the employee involved. Owner testimony included, “100%…they're supposed to ID everybody no matter how old they are,” and said the business planned additional incentives and spot checks.
The board imposed a $2,500 fine with $500 held in abeyance and a one‑day suspension, to be selected by the licensee and posted consistent with board rules. The board recorded the penalty as unanimous; licensees were given 10 days to pay and 30 days to appeal to the Circuit Court of St. Mary's County.

Il Piccolo Morso (22845 Washington Street, Leonardtown) — bartender Luis Ignacio Esteban
Sheriff's reports say on April 2 a confidential informant ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and told the bartender he had no ID. The record states Esteban asked for the informant's age and date of birth, was told the patron was under 21, and nonetheless served the drink; Esteban later admitted failing to corroborate age with identification. Esteban described asking questions and relying on the companion's statements, and said he “started to make some questions…to prove the identity,” but that he failed to obtain ID.
The board assessed a $150 fine; the fine must be paid within 10 days, and the decision may be appealed within 30 days.

Il Piccolo Morso — licensee Sylvia C. Chance
A separate hearing named licensee Sylvia C. Chance. She said she was not on site the day of the compliance check and described the establishment as a family business; she told the board she would require staff to refresh training and TAM/rasp certification. The board imposed a $1,000 fine with $500 held in abeyance and required RAS training within 90 days; payment and appeal deadlines mirror the other rulings.

Mac's Tap & Table (25470 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) — Hannah Marie Davis (server)
A server at Mac's Tap and Table served a bottle of Bud Light to the confidential informant on April 29 without asking for identification, according to the sheriff's report and the server's admission. The licensees, John J. McDonald III and Benjamin J. McDonald, told the board they enforce a 100% ID policy, use on‑the‑job training and a reference book of state IDs, and added a system prompt requiring servers to confirm they checked ID when ringing in alcoholic beverages.
The board assessed a $1,000 fine with $500 held in abeyance and ordered RAS training within 90 days; the vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance
- Front Porch (Jordan Walker, Jeffrey P. Lewis): $2,500 fine ($500 held in abeyance), one‑day suspension (licensee to select date). Outcome: approved, unanimous. (Charge: sale to person under 21; statutory citation: 6‑304; rule: 5.04(j)).
- Il Piccolo Morso (Luis I. Esteban): $150 fine. Outcome: approved, unanimous. (Charge: sale to person under 21; statutory citation: 6‑304; rule: 5.04(j)).
- Il Piccolo Morso (licensee Sylvia C. Chance): $1,000 fine ($500 held in abeyance), RAS training within 90 days. Outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Mac's Tap & Table (John J. McDonald III, Benjamin J. McDonald): $1,000 fine ($500 held in abeyance), RAS training within 90 days. Outcome: approved, unanimous.

What the board relied on: Mr. Chris Beaver, board counsel, read sheriff's office compliance‑check reports into the record and the board relied on admissions by servers or licensees during the hearings as the factual basis for penalties. Deputies who conducted the checks provided evidence and receipts to the sheriff's office file, which the board acknowledged.

Next steps and appeals: Each licensee was told they have 10 days to pay the assessed fine and 30 days to appeal the board's decision to the Circuit Court of St. Mary's County.

Sources: sworn testimony at the July 9, 2025 Alcohol Beverage Board public hearing and sheriff's office compliance check reports read into the record.","At its July 9 meeting the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County issued fines, training requirements and short suspensions after sheriff's office compliance checks found four licensed servers sold alcohol to a 19‑year‑old confidential informant.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174047,"Board updates penalty rules to reflect higher statutory fines, adopts revised penalty matrix",314,4805000,5119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048&start=4805&end=5119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5376212-fc73329cc4ff81e5bef884860f1ef048/thumbnail_4805000.jpg","/articles/6174047/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-updates-penalty-rules-to-reflect-higher-statutory-fines-adopts-revised-penalty-matrix","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174047-8cf656945248805b8e12380f9dad8f46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153496&Signature=gItOpnV2TUAlARBK8Qjf17jskEe56AKKxm-4i6lI10aY1C0WIGTyIXOi98RGLpLzhEiRh5Qqs5tyN3LfNYO1W7giSXjzVPu1IKv0NsC3ZlVmx~K50va07JFtmcNYMNEedjt~~NktvDz7RZt7S51Nqn0cQ93p~MxzO6~AY1Lq6zSAjbAHASJROH-sARP~eYo8DrTH1WkSxqOamqb26veL00osA7I28Rr4kUczzVr2HkY03ZKwPTPrRS2WZBGsIplQVSChqvZNChVuCURp47~6yJMHFToBXx-vckd5A6GHNq9YgBdIftL5kVHIt1AA~MjNs6ssHBfr-UHO-itmmZHC6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 9 meeting the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County voted unanimously to amend local rules to match recently enacted state law raising the maximum fine the board may impose for license violations. The board updated section 6.07(A) to change the prior $1,000 maximum to $2,500 and amended the board's penalty matrix to reflect the new maximum and hold‑in‑abeyance percentages used for mitigation.

Why it matters: HB 486 (2025) changed the maximum administrative fine the board may assess; the board moved promptly to align its rules and its standard penalty matrix with the new statutory maximum so penalties applied at hearings are consistent with state law.

Key changes adopted
- Section 6.07(A): maximum fine language updated from $1,000 to $2,500.
- Penalty matrix (section 6.07(E), subparagraphs): the board inserted the updated dollar amounts and retained previously adopted percentage guidance (for example, up to 50% held in abeyance in some first‑offense scenarios) so members have a consistent guideline when setting penalties during hearings.

Board discussion and next steps
Board counsel and the administrator discussed whether to change the matrix's suspension language; after brief discussion members directed staff to use 50% held in abeyance language consistent with prior practice and adopt the updated amounts. The board said it would continue to refine other regulatory sections (including rules related to holding more than one Class B license) at a subsequent meeting.

Outcome: the amendments were adopted by unanimous vote. The board administrator will publish the amended rules and apply them to hearings going forward.","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County voted July 9 to update local rules to raise the maximum fine from $1,000 to $2,500 and to amend the board's penalty matrix to reflect the statutory change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board grants conditional approvals for new licenses and premise extensions, sets contingencies

St. Mary's County board fines four establishments after sheriff's underage compliance checks

Board updates penalty rules to reflect higher statutory fines, adopts revised penalty matrix