Baltimore City liquor board approves Hooters hardship extension, new Checkerspot restaurant license and a string of transfers and outdoor seating requests

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City on Feb. 13 approved a 180‑day hardship extension for a liquor license tied to the former Hooters at Harborplace and granted a new Class B beer, wine and liquor restaurant license with outdoor table service to Checkerspot Brewing, among a slate of license transfers and outdoor seating additions.

The board voted to extend the Harborplace license for 180 days under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, citing the applicant’s request and the landlord’s efforts to find an interim or permanent tenant. Caroline Hecker, an attorney with Rosenberg Martin Greenberg representing the secured creditor/licensee Adam Jen, said the landlord took control of the Hooters license after the restaurant closed in June and the extra time was to allow staff to locate an interim operator and prepare for Harborplace redevelopment. “The landlord took control of the license at the end of last year, and we're trying to find a new tenant to operate that space,” Hecker said. The board approved the 180‑day hardship extension by unanimous voice vote.

Checkerspot Brewing, which applied to convert to a Class B restaurant license at 1421 Ridgeland Street, told the board it has operated a brewery since 2018 and is seeking the restaurant license to remain competitive and expand offerings to include local wines and spirits. Attorney Stephen W. Fogelman described the applicant’s compliance with statutory investment…