Howard County board grants First Watch a Class B beer, wine and liquor license for Columbia location

The Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board on May 13 approved a Class B beer, wine and liquor 7‑day license for First Watch Restaurants Inc. for a Columbia restaurant location, finding the application complete and the operator fit to hold the license.

Leanne Schreckengost, attorney for First Watch, introduced the applicants and said the proposed license is intended as an accommodation for guests; she and an applicant, Christopher Tomasso, told the board that First Watch’s national alcohol sales represent roughly 5% of total revenue. “This is basically just as an accommodation to the guests,” Schreckengost said.

Christopher Tomasso, who identified himself as president and chief executive officer of First Watch Restaurants Inc., testified that First Watch operates nearly 600 restaurants in 32 states and has operated in the county since 2018. Tomasso confirmed he holds seven First Watch licenses in Maryland and said those licenses have not been suspended or revoked. “None of them have been suspended or revoked,” he said.

Crystal Wagner, the restaurant’s operations manager and designated resident licensee, described staffing and training: the restaurant employs 32 people, 19 of whom will be involved in alcohol service, and staff training includes state‑approved alcohol awareness courses and First Watch’s internal alcohol policy tracked through a virtual learning system. Wagner said the patio has five tables, is surrounded by a fence with a single door, and will be monitored by servers and managers to ensure beverages remain within the patio area. “All guests must see either the host or hostess to be seated on the patio, and guests also have to come inside to check out with the host as well after they’re finished their meal,” Wagner said.

Board members asked about hours, training tailored to Maryland law, numbers of licensed First Watch locations in Maryland, and whether the notarized forms that had inconsistent state references (Florida scratched out, Maryland inserted) would pose an issue. First Watch counsel and staff said corporate training is general but includes Maryland specifics and that the notarization inconsistency would not be a problem.

Commissioners described the application as complete and the First Watch training and ID policies as comprehensive. Commissioner Hunt moved to approve the Class B license; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The board’s roll call was Chair Chen — yes; Commissioner Coleman — yes; Commissioner Hunt — yes; Commissioner Johnson — yes; Commissioner Kim — yes.

The board recorded that the restaurant’s hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily and that the licensee understands she would have to appear before the board for any reported violations. Counsel waived the applicant’s right to a written appeal.