Carroll commissioners conditionally approve 1-day permit for Westminster tattoo-parlor fundraiser pending landlord letter

Springboard Community Services asked the Carroll County Board of License Commissioners for a one-day liquor permit to serve alcohol at an outdoor, tented art show and silent auction at Westminster Tattoo Company.

The application was presented by Danielle Stansbury and Jacob Reik, who said the event will highlight donated work by local and nationally recognized tattoo artists and support a domestic-violence safe house run by Springboard. "It's an art show and silent auction," Stansbury told the board. "We were able to get some sponsorships, and one of those sponsorships was Tito's Handmade Vodka. So we applied for the application to be able to serve that at the event." She said tickets include two beverage tokens and a swag bag.

The board focused questions on the event footprint, public safety and age controls. Stansbury described a tented area in parking spaces outside the parlor, three 15-by-13 sports tents joined by 250 feet of lighted ropes, a staffed entry for ID checks and wristbands, and food trucks parked on the far side of the closed lane. "We are we have someone that's assigned to work the door, and everyone will be carded," she said, describing a wristband and token system to control sales.

Commissioners pressed the applicant to confirm landlord approval and written permission for any closure of a traffic lane. The board requested a signed letter from the landlord that "explains exactly what's going to be roped off and where everything is going to be, and particularly about closing that lane of traffic" before staff may issue the one-day license. The board also expressed a preference that ticket holders be limited to the two beverage tokens included with admission and that no additional alcohol be sold on site; the applicant said she would defer to the board's direction.

The board did not vote to deny the permit. Instead members indicated they had no objections so long as the requested documentation is delivered in advance. Commissioner Barnhart summarized the board's position by asking that the letter arrive "prior to the issuance of any one day liquor license." No formal fine or further restrictions were imposed on the record beyond that condition and the board's encouragement to limit on-site sales.

Why it matters: The applicant said proceeds will benefit the local safe house and victims' services in Carroll County. Commissioners required written landlord approval and emphasized controls—segregated, tented service area, ID checks, and token limits—to reduce the risk of underage sales and public-safety problems at an outdoor, ticketed event.

What’s next: Springboard must deliver the landlord letter that details the exact footprint and the planned traffic closure; staff will issue the one-day license only after receipt of that documentation.