St. Mary's Alcohol Beverage Board grants 90-day extensions, conditionally approves Smash House license

The Alcohol Beverage Board of Saint Mary's County on Aug. 14 granted 90-day conditional extensions to two pending license applicants and conditionally approved a new restaurant license for Smash House LLC, while listing specific contingencies the applicant must meet.

At the meeting Chair David Willenborg and board members approved a 90-day extension for Arthur Charles Brinkley and Celeste C. Baird (The Creek) after applicants told the board that a recently issued grease-trap permit and pending septic/tank work will allow them to complete required corrections. Celeste Baird said the permit was provided to staff and contractors were already working on the plumbing and mound replacement.

The board also granted a 90-day extension to Thomas F. McKay for his project McKay's Grapes, Grains and Gatherings. McKay told members that landlord-driven supermarket construction slowed the smaller-tenant fit-outs, but most equipment is on site and he expected work to finish within the extension period. The board approved the extension after members discussed training and ID-enforcement measures McKay plans to implement.

Separately, the board conditionally approved Smash House LLC (applicant identified at the hearing as John R. Killian) for a 90-day conditional Class B (restaurant) beer, wine and liquor license and permission for outdoor seating at 41656 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown. Killian disclosed a prior bartender-service-to-minor incident that required training and said the new location will have the sale of alcohol restricted to a single bar point of sale (no table service), fencing/planters and signage to corral outdoor seating, ID-scanning equipment and ServSafe training for staff. "We will enforce 100% ID checks," Killian said, adding the operation plans for one bartender on weekdays and two on busy weekend shifts.

The board made the Smash House approval conditional on payment of outstanding personal property taxes, an updated business/trade license, approvals from the health department and fire marshal, certificate of occupancy (U&O), and submission of finalized drawings that reflect any changes to the walk-in cooler or access. Tammy Hildenbrand and inspector Kevin Hall told the board they would verify required permits and documentation before the license becomes final.

All three motions (the two extensions and Smash House conditional approval) passed by voice vote; board members said the 90-day conditional period is intended to allow applicants to complete municipal, safety and tax obligations while preserving oversight.

What happens next: applicants have 90 days to meet the stated contingencies; failure to produce the required documents or to pass inspections could result in application denial or additional action by the board.