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Baltimore liquor board approves multiple ownership transfers, grants 180‑day hardship extension
Summary
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City on Jan. 30 approved several license ownership transfers, accepted a $500 fine paid by a licensee and granted a 180‑day hardship extension for one license, the board said during the meeting.
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City approved several ownership transfers for Class A and Class B beer, wine and liquor licenses and granted a 180‑day hardship extension during its Jan. 30 meeting.
The board voted to grant a 180‑day hardship extension for the Class BD7 license at 307–11 West Madison Street, filed on behalf of Lisa Markowitz, after counsel said Markowitz would file a substitution and a transfer application and had regained control of the premises. The extension was approved based on the applicant’s December 30 letter and testimony made at the hearing.
The board also approved multiple transfer applications. Counsel Peter Privis and attorney Sean Harvey presented the applicants and proffered details about purchase prices, financing and operator plans. Approvals included: - Transfer to Class A Defined Inc., trading as Class A Defined Lounge, for the license at 2709–11 Washington Boulevard. Counsel said Christopher Coleman will be the primary operator and that Coleman and Dasani Penn will take steps including alcohol awareness training and employee certification. - Transfer to Omni Liquors Baltimore LLC, trading as Frankford Gardens Liquors, at 5418–20 Sinclair Lane; counsel explained purchase and lease terms and said one principal (Deepak) was temporarily out of the country but had authorized proceeding. - Transfer for the existing license at 1113 South Charles Street to the buyers who will operate as Hillside Social; counsel said the buyers plan about $800,000 in renovations and to continue live entertainment and outdoor table service. The South Baltimore Neighborhood Association provided a letter of support, counsel said.
Board staff announced the acceptance of a monetary penalty-in-lieu-of-hearing program participant: RNG Traders Inc., trading as Joe’s Tavern, admitted a violation of rule 4.05 for allowing patrons to remain after legal hours on Oct. 19, 2024, and paid a $500 fine that was accepted by the board.
Board members made clear that approvals were based on the applications, proffers by counsel and testimony received. Several commissioners reminded new licensees of past compliance issues at some premises and the need to follow board rules, including alcohol‑awareness training for employees and the use of ID scanners where planned.
Votes at a glance - Hardship extension, 307–11 West Madison St. (Class BD7): approved (180 days). Basis: applicant’s Dec. 30 letter and testimony. - Transfer: Class A Defined Inc., 2709–11 Washington Blvd (Class BD7): approved. - Transfer: Omni Liquors Baltimore LLC / Frankford Gardens Liquors, 5418–20 Sinclair Lane (Class A): approved. - Transfer: 1113 South Charles St. (trade name Hillside Social) with continued live entertainment/outdoor table service and off‑premises catering: approved. - Monetary penalty accepted: RNG Traders Inc. (Joe’s Tavern) — $500 paid for violation of rule 4.05: accepted.
Board members recorded approvals on the record; the transcripts show each motion passed with commissioners stating approval based on the application file, counsel’s proffer and testimony.
The board adjourned after completing the docket and set its next session for Feb. 13, 2025.
