Carroll County licensing board warns Rincon Italian Grill after unpermitted bar installation

The Board of License Commissioners of Carroll County told owners of Rincon Italian Grill on Tuesday that a partially constructed bar at the restaurant was installed without the board’s required authorization. Inspectors and the restaurant’s representatives described a misunderstanding about permitting responsibilities that led to the unapproved work.

The board’s inspector, Keith Benfer, testified that a county inspector discovered the partially constructed bar and that the establishment had not filed the required request to the liquor board. “It was determined that there was no request for the bar,” Benfer said. The restaurant’s owner, Jose Ramirez, told the board he relied on his landlord and a contractor to handle permissions and apologized: “We apologize for the inconvenience and for not knowing, like, honestly that we have to, do, like, a meeting or come here and ask permission.”

The board emphasized that altering licensed premises requires prior approval. A member of the board stated, “So this is a violation of our rule 14 at alteration additions or remodeling.” Inspectors and commissioners walked through how the new bar sits near the restaurant entrance and asked whether seating would obstruct the main walkway. Ramirez said the full restaurant seats about 92 and that the bar will remove roughly two dining seats; he said the bar will have about 10 stools and two high-top tables elsewhere, not in the principal walkway.

Contractor Clint Linger, who supervised the work, told the board he obtained county building and health permits and believed he had followed proper procedures: “We get the county permit. They tell us we need the health department involved. So then we jump through all the hoops with the health department.” Linger said he was not aware that liquor-board approval was required after the county’s permitting steps.

Board members stressed that the licensee, not the contractor or landlord, is solely responsible for compliance with the liquor rules. The board reminded the licensee the regulations are provided when a license is issued and that failing to seek board approval for physical changes can lead to penalties. One commissioner noted the board can assess fines up to $2,000 per infraction, and may suspend or revoke a license under the law. The board did not levy a fine or suspension at the meeting but advised the owners to submit drawings and a formal request to the board before proceeding with the bar.