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Frederick County Liquor Board grants two full licenses and three conditional approvals
Summary
At its June 8 meeting the Frederick County Liquor Board approved a full-time DDS license for True Standard Distilling, approved Sunset & Main and granted conditional approvals or transfers for Elks Haven and Fogon Latino Restaurant, pending local and state sign-offs.
The Frederick County Liquor Board on June 8 voted to approve several new and transferred liquor licenses, including a full-time class DDS license for True Standard Distilling and approvals for two restaurants, while placing conditions on other applicants pending staff sign‑offs.
The board granted True Standard Distilling a DDS license effective that day after hearing from staff and the applicants about operations and prior promoter activity. Inspector Christopher Smith reported a May 20, 2026 inspection at 10 North Carol Street and said the business was operating and that “no reinspection will be required before the license can be issued.” The board motion to approve the DDS license passed unanimously.
The board also approved Sunset & Main (application 262577) for a class B beer, wine and liquor license after an inspector’s report identified open items (securing the outside area and signage) that the applicant agreed to address. Inspector Dawn Sugars’ inspection at 6 West Main Street, New Market noted the need to confirm 28 interior seats required by the state for the license class; the board approved the application effective immediately.
The board granted conditional approval to Elks Haven (application 262549) through July 15, 2026, pending staff certification that state, county and local ordinances and regulations are satisfied — specifically business licensing, zoning/occupancy name changes, and inspector sign‑offs. Applicants told the board they currently operate under promoter permits and expect to resolve occupancy schematics with city permitting within weeks.
A transfer application for Fogon Latino Restaurant (application 262566) was granted conditional approval through Sept. 30, 2026, while staff and the applicant complete outstanding items including lease/landlord signatures, resolution of a tax hold and finalization of required documentation. Staff recommended allowing a management agreement window to permit the transfer to proceed while remaining issues are resolved.
Board members repeatedly urged applicants to stay in close contact with staff and other agencies — the fire marshal, city permits, and the state — to ensure compliance. Several inspectors and staff emphasized training requirements and interagency inspections: “There will need to be a reinspection as there were some open items that we wanted to button up,” Inspector Dawn Sugars told the board when discussing Sunset & Main.
Next steps for each approved or conditionally approved applicant include completing any outstanding zoning or occupancy name changes, confirming required staff training, and picking up finalized licenses from county staff once inspectors and county permit offices certify compliance.
Votes at a glance: Elks Haven — conditional approval through July 15, 2026 (pending staff sign‑off); True Standard Distilling — DDS license approved effective June 8, 2026; Sunset & Main — class B license approved effective June 8, 2026; Fogon Latino Restaurant — conditional transfer through Sept. 30, 2026 (pending staff sign‑off).
