Worcester County license board: Bistro Lounge’s liquor issuance contingent on ownership, parking and inspection clarifications

Worcester County Board of License Commissioners members on Sept. 17, 2005 heard an update on an application for a seven‑day Class B beer, wine and liquor license for the Bistro Lounge at 1706 Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City and said they will not issue the license until ownership and sales‑tax questions, parking and design changes, and staff inspections are fully resolved.

The board clarified that issuance of the license remains contingent on completing required permits and inspections and on resolving a discrepancy involving the retail sales‑tax registration and the entity listed for the application. A board member told applicant Peter Elias that “this won't get issued until all these conditions have been rectified, 100% cleared, and Miss Payne…do an inspection on your location.” (board member, unnamed)

Peter Elias, who identified himself as an owner and partner in the business, told the board the operation has been maintained in part by selling food items to preserve the site’s nonconforming status and said he expects to open the Bistro Lounge in “late spring or 2026.” Elias also said that some parts of the property already have approvals from the health department and the fire marshal where they are currently operating.

Board members and staff discussed several outstanding items: parking arrangements identified by town staff as the project’s largest setback; possible reduction or reconfiguration of a proposed enclosed courtyard (an architect’s “plan B” was described); and the need to finalize whether the retail sales‑tax number was issued to the same LLC that applied in 2023. County staff said that if the entity currently associated with the sales‑tax number is different from the LLC on the original application, a transfer of ownership will be required before the license can be issued.

Elias and other speakers described how the property’s ownership and corporate structure are layered: Bistro Lounge Holding was described as the real‑estate owner; Bistro Lounge LLC was identified as the proposed operating entity; and 7 Stars Hospitality of OC LLC was described as the holder of the liquor license. The board noted that, if those relationships remain as described, the county will need a management agreement between the operating entity and the license holder for the record.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved minutes from a prior meeting by voice vote. No formal vote on the Bistro Lounge license was recorded in the public portion of the transcript; the board closed the hearing after the discussion.

Next steps identified by the board include: the applicant clarifying which LLC is the tenant and confirming the retail sales‑tax registration; submission of any revised architectural plans if the courtyard is altered for parking; provision of a management agreement if multiple entities will operate or hold the license; and an inspection by county staff before any license is issued. The board indicated staff will withhold issuance until those items are 100% resolved.

The public hearing was closed at the end of the recorded portion of the meeting.