Frederick County liquor board fines Prospect Pantry, grants conditional approvals for multiple licenses

The Frederick County Liquor Board on Feb. 9 found Prospect Pantry in violation for repeatedly displaying a 2025 business license application rather than an issued business license and voted to impose a $100 fine and a $250 administrative fee, payable within 24 hours.

Inspector Harrison told the board he conducted a routine inspection at Prospect Pantry on Jan. 14, 2026 and found only the application posted after prior visits and a previous warning. The inspector’s report and a no-contest letter prompted the hearing; with the licensees not present, the board read the charges into the record and voted to assess the fine and administrative fee. Staff noted the board could notify the state alcohol regulator about the lack of a displayed state-issued license.

Why it matters: enforcement of display and renewal requirements is part of the county’s compliance monitoring; county staff said state law can carry criminal penalties if a state agent encounters missing or incorrect credentials.

Licensing actions at a glance

- The Banyan (Application 262261): granted conditional approval through Oct. 31, 2026, pending a full reinspection and verification of required state, county and local approvals. Inspector Harrison reported construction is ongoing; applicant Stacy Kayla described a three-level venue with a rooftop bar, security plans and a 48-camera system. "It's going to be three levels; live music on all three levels," Stacy Kayla said during the hearing.

- Umi (Yi) Sushi (Application 262315): granted conditional approval through Sept. 30, 2026, pending reinspection and outstanding documents (business license, occupancy, tax release). Applicant King Lynn told commissioners the concept mirrors his Howard County restaurant and stated the operation will keep alcohol sales below the 60% threshold required for this license type.

- Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater (Application 262319): transfer approved conditionally through March 31, 2026. Applicants Shawn and Laura Martin said they intend to preserve the theater’s dinner-theater tradition and staff confirmed required postings and inspections.

- Habanero Bar and Grill (Application 262320): transfer approved conditionally through March 31, 2026. Inspector’s report showed the establishment operating and posted for the hearing; staff noted other local licenses held by the applicant group and past warnings on some locations.

- Orioles Nest 331 Ladies Auxiliary (Application 262322): the board granted conditional approval through Oct. 31, 2026 for a nonprofit Class C transfer to preserve continuity while the organization resolves IRS filing issues. Applicant Paul Florenio described tax forms that were not filed by a previous accountant and a multistep effort to reinstate nonprofit status; board members encouraged continued work with staff and suggested reaching out to legislative offices to expedite IRS processing where appropriate.

- Saffron Grill and Bar (Application 262321): granted conditional approval through Sept. 30, 2026 pending staff verification of consent-to-transfer documents, sales-and-use documentation and reinspection items.

- JB's on Maine (Application 261715): an extension of conditional approval was granted through Dec. 31, 2026 to allow completion of construction and outstanding permits.

Board process and next steps

Most approvals were conditional: staff will complete reinspection and verify zoning, occupancy, health, tax release and other listed open items before final licenses are issued. When applicants were operating under management agreements the board noted that a signed consent to transfer and final sales-and-use municipal documents will be required. The board recorded each motion and moved on to the next agenda item after unanimous or voice votes.

Formal actions captured by the board’s minutes will be followed by staff emails summarizing outstanding items and next steps for each applicant.