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Frederick County Liquor Board conditionally approves a slate of new and transfer licenses, approves en bloc renewals and sets event security requirement
Summary
On April 13 the Frederick County Liquor Board granted conditional approvals for multiple new and transfer licenses (including Celeste Tavern and Vine, So Thai and Catoctin Furnace Liquors), approved an en bloc renewal list of 328 licenses with an additional training session and $250 administrative fee for noncompliant establishments, and directed event security measures for a Mexican rodeo.
The Frederick County Liquor Board on April 13 granted conditional or full approvals for several new and transferred licenses, approved an en bloc renewal list and set new operational and event conditions.
The Board unanimously granted conditional approval to Celeste Tavern and Vine (Wick Hospitality Group, LLC) through June 30, 2026, and to So Thai (So Thai, Inc.) through July 31, 2026, with Athip Chanthanuraks required to complete ABLE training within 30 days. Urbana Nail Bar and Spa and Masa Sushi & Hibachi received conditional approvals to June 30, 2026. The Board conditionally approved the transfer application for Catoctin Furnace Liquors (DUTTATREY, LLC) until July 31, 2026, pending settlement and a management agreement. Akira Ramen & Izakaya (Urbana Ramen, LLC) was approved effective April 13, 2026, with no reinspection required because the patio will not be used; RH Pub and Dash In received conditional approvals with standard compliance conditions.
In a staff report, Director Dawn Shugars reviewed an en bloc renewal list of 328 licenses and identified five establishments that had not completed required ABLE training. The Board approved the en bloc renewals, authorized an additional training session, and agreed to assess a $250 administrative fee for noncompliant establishments; the Board recorded that failure to attend the makeup training would affect eligibility for license renewal. Commissioner Christopher Glass supported fines or denial of renewal for noncompliant licensees, and the Board directed staff to schedule and document the additional session.
The Board discussed tax‑hold cases and agreed to hold a virtual hearing on April 27 to review hardship extension requests related to tax holds; County Attorney Jennifer Keefer clarified the virtual hearing would examine hardship requests tied to tax clearance. The Board also reviewed residency and ownership questions related to Class A licenses under a noted “MALA” discussion and reaffirmed that the Board’s jurisdiction is limited to the licensed premises as defined by the approved diagram.
Following a staff presentation on a Mexican rodeo held April 12, 2026, the Board agreed to require a minimum of 30 security personnel at that event type, ordered a morning check‑in to verify staffing levels, and directed Director Shugars and inspectors to document required security post assignments as a condition of licensure.
All motions and votes recorded during the meeting were unanimous (Aquilino, Glass, Burrell — Aye). The Board adjourned at 11:54 a.m.
