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Board approves Columbia Palace wine-and-spirits license transfer, with training condition
Summary
The Howard County Alcohol Board approved the transfer of Columbia Palace Wine and Spirits to YZ Columbia LLC, in the names of Yuzhang and Jinjin Yang, on condition that Yuzhang complete alcohol-awareness certification. The applicants said they will relocate to Maryland and retain existing staff including a manager with 10 years' experience.
The Howard County Alcohol Board voted Aug. 26 to approve the transfer of a Class A (7-day off-sale) beer, wine and liquor license for Columbia Palace Wine and Spirits to YZ Columbia LLC in the names of Yuzhang and Jinjin Yang.
Counsel for the applicants told the board the transfer is "a straightforward transfer of the liquor license"; the applicants, sworn in for testimony, confirmed they own 50% each of the company and plan to relocate to Maryland if the license is granted. Jinjin Yin told the board she has restaurant experience but had not previously held an alcoholic-beverage license; both applicants said they would retain current staff and managers who have experience.
Commissioners pressed the applicants about experience and staffing. The record shows the current store manager has "been in the store over 10 years" and is alcohol-awareness certified. Commissioner Joe Pitt suggested making the sale contingent on a key employee completing certification; the board made approval contingent upon the successful completion of alcohol-awareness training by Yuzhang (identified in the motion as Ying Zheng), and the motion passed on a unanimous vote. The applicants waived their right to appeal at the hearing.
The board’s action updates the license holder to YZ Columbia LLC and includes a training contingency noted on the record.
