The St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board approved a conditional Class E license on Nov. 9 for Board and Brush Creative Studio, to be operated by Leonardtown Blue Crab Designs LLC at 41665 Fenwick Street, Unit 15, Leonardtown. The board's approval was conditioned on obtaining the trader's license, occupancy permit and state fire marshal sign-off.

Applicants Sabrina P. Rower and Peter J. Rower told the board the business will operate as a DIY woodworking studio where participants pre-register for classes to make stained, assembled and painted wood signs and other home items. "The normal classes are $65 a class," Sabrina Rower said, and most sessions are planned for weekend evenings with a projected end time near 9:30 p.m.

Rower described the franchise model and said this will be the first Board and Brush location in Maryland; she told the board the studio will initially hold weekend evening classes and expand weekday evenings if demand grows. She provided a seating and table diagram to board staff and said the maximum number of customers at one time would be "about 24 customers," while also explaining the studio will run with a small staff and pre-registration for classes.

Board members confirmed there were no written or oral protests. The board moved and seconded the conditional approval; the motion included a time limit tied to completion of the required permits. The board instructed staff to work with the applicants to complete paperwork and inspections so the business can open once the conditions are satisfied.

The board discussed required training and compliance checks; applicants said staff will complete the county's RAS (Responsible Alcohol Sales) training. The approval allows the applicants to continue licensing steps and coordinate inspections with county officials and the state fire marshal before operating.