Alcohol board approves transfer of Lido Pizza Clarksville license to current operator

The Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board voted to approve the transfer of a Class B beer and light wine seven-day on-sale license for Lido Pizza Clarksville to DSMS Pizza LLC, with Davani Vaez (spelled in transcript as "Davani"/"Dhvani") listed as the proposed licensee.

Attorney Ben Carter told the board that the applicant has operated as the general manager at the Clarksville Lido location for roughly 18 months and seeks to purchase the restaurant. The applicant disclosed a prior administrative violation that occurred at a different establishment (Players Bar) years earlier while his name was on the license; he said he had not been involved in day-to-day operations when that violation occurred and apologized for the failure to recall it on the application. The county detective confirmed that the enforcement notice had been mailed to the partner who signed the administrative settlement and that mailing explains why the applicant said he had not received notice.

Board members asked about the Clarksville location’s operations and safeguards. The applicant said the Clarksville restaurant’s sales are largely food (about 90% food), that four staff members currently hold TIP/alcohol-awareness certification, and that there are no current violations at the Clarksville location. The board placed the prior matter on the record as part of the hearing but voted to approve the license transfer; the applicant waived the right to an appeal.