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.