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Liquor board grants conditional approvals and transfer permits to multiple local businesses
Summary
The Frederick County Liquor Board on April 13 granted conditional approvals and transfer permissions for several new and existing establishments, while flagging outstanding permits, ABLE training and inspection items that must be cleared by set deadlines.
The Frederick County Liquor Board on April 13 granted conditional approvals or approved transfers for a string of new and existing liquor licenses while staff listed outstanding permits and inspection items applicants must clear before final issuance.
Among the actions, the board granted conditional approval through June 30 to Celeste Tavern & Vine (applicant Brett Novik) pending reinspection and verification of outstanding sales & use, business license, workers' compensation, health, zoning and occupancy items. Novik said the venue will operate as a coffee shop by day and pizza/restaurant in the evening and hopes to open in May.
The board also granted conditional approval for Soai (a Thai restaurant in Urbana) through July 31 and specified that all three license holders must complete updated ABLE training within 30 days. Urbana Nail Bar & Spa and Masa Sushi & Hibachi each received conditional approvals through June 30, with reinspections and standard outstanding items to be verified.
On transfers, the board approved an immediate ownership shift for Akira Ramen (transfer effective at the hearing). Transfers for Katen/Kopton Furnace Liquors and RH Pub were conditionally approved through July 31 and May 31, respectively, pending outstanding paperwork such as tax releases, sales & use corrections, lease or bulk‑transfer documentation and final occupancy clearance. A Dash In convenience‑store transfer received conditional approval through June 30; staff emphasized the need for verified leases, bulk transfer permits, workers' comp and updated sales & use documentation.
Inspectors flagged the common outstanding items: sales & use registration numbers, final occupancy and health approvals, complete workers' compensation documents, and submitted ABLE/ABLE‑equivalent certifications where required. Board staff said they will set reinspection dates and remain in contact with applicants to finalize remaining items.
Votes at a glance
- Celeste Tavern & Vine (new application): conditional approval through June 30 with reinspection (approved). - Soai (Soai/Thai restaurant): conditional approval through July 31; third license holder must complete ABLE within 30 days (approved). - Urbana Nail Bar & Spa: conditional approval through June 30 pending reinspection (approved). - Masa Sushi & Hibachi: conditional approval through June 30 pending reinspection (approved). - Akira Ramen: transfer/ownership change approved, effective at hearing (approved). - RH Pub: transfer approved conditionally through May 31 pending outstanding items (approved). - Dash In (convenience store transfer): conditional approval through June 30 pending outstanding items (approved).
Board staff will circulate written summaries to each applicant with deadlines and instructions for completing the outstanding items.
