Howard County board continues new Class B license hearing for Maple Lawn restaurant amid staffing and language concerns

The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board on Jan. 13 continued consideration of a new Class B (B01) seven‑day on‑sale beer, wine and liquor license for a restaurant at 8194 Westat Boulevard in the Maple Lawn area of Fulton.

The applicants — represented by Martin Johnson of Maryland Liquor License Services — asked the board to defer action while they resolve outstanding seller tax forms and return with additional operational support. Johnson said the owners are seeking a new license for the location rather than a transfer, so the incoming operators would “have their own license, not take on anybody’s possible prior problems.”

The applicant, who identified herself on the record as Xiaoming Zhang, described current operations and compliance plans, saying the restaurant has roughly nine employees, two staff certified in Maryland alcohol awareness and that the business keeps purchase records for at least two years and employee records for at least one year. “We will maintain each employee’s employment record for at least 1 year,” she said, adding that staff will check IDs for anyone who appears younger than 40.

Board members pressed the applicants about long opening hours and whether the certified coverage and language access were sufficient to handle inspections or enforcement contacts. One commissioner recommended adding at least one more alcohol‑awareness‑certified employee and an additional authorized/resident agent so an English‑speaking representative will be available when inspectors visit. Martin Johnson said the ownership is working with the seller to clear tax issues and that the group will ensure front‑of‑house staff become certified in Maryland alcohol awareness.

After discussion the board member moved for a continuance to a date to be determined so applicants can bring additional personnel (including Maria Hu, mentioned as a manager) and clearer interpretation; another member seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to continue the case.

As part of the continuance the applicants agreed to remove an advertising sign and hold it until a new hearing date is posted. The chair said the office will follow up with the applicants on a new meeting date.

The continuance leaves unresolved the seller’s outstanding tax filings; Johnson told the board the buyer and majority owner Ben Xu are working with the seller and tax authorities to address the paperwork before a new license is issued.