Charles County Liquor Board Meeting Summary — November 13, 2025

The Charles County Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) met on November 13, 2025, to review retail delivery operations, consider three new alcoholic beverage license applications, act on a temporary outdoor service request, and discuss a tobacco/alcohol moratorium issue involving Pasha Lounge. All three license applications were approved unanimously, and the board scheduled follow-up actions including a letter to Pasha Lounge and a January 2026 return appearance by Liquor Outlet Waldorf LLC.

Retail Delivery Update — Liquor Outlet Waldorf LLC

• Mr. Patel reported delivery sales of 50 deliveries with 5 unsuccessful in August, 45 with 3 unsuccessful in September, and 42 with zero failed deliveries in October. One unsuccessful delivery occurred in November when the customer was not available at the delivery address.
• Unsuccessful deliveries were mostly due to identification issues; the store delivers only to the person who placed the order and requires a valid ID.
• Mr. Patel is in early talks with DoorDash and Uber to use their platforms as a referral/advertising service directing customers to his website, with deliveries still made by his own drivers. Board members noted third-party delivery is not permitted in Charles County — delivery must be made by an employee or the license holder — and the advertising aspect requires verification.
• The board scheduled Mr. Patel's next retail delivery update for the January 2026 meeting.

New License Application — Farmhouse Waldorf LLC (Class B BLX with Entertainment)

• Stephen Shue and Celeste Cunningham, trading as Farmhouse Waldorf LLC, applied for a new Class B BLX luxury restaurant license (beer, wine, and liquor on sale with entertainment) at 11120 St. Albans Place, Suite 101, Waldorf, MD 20602, represented by David Martinez of Jenkins Law Firm.
• Mr. Shue testified he has 15 years of restaurant experience and operates two other Farmhouse restaurants in Maryland. He described the concept as an upscale farm-to-table new American restaurant with menus changed four times a year, stated he believes nothing quite like it exists in the market area, and estimated approximately 75 employees will be hired. The restaurant is expected to open in fall 2026.
• Policies described: ID checks for all alcohol purchases, refusal of Maryland vertical underage licenses, 100% alcohol awareness training for staff, and purchases from licensed wholesalers/distributors.
• Proposed hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Entertainment would be live background dinner music (typically one or two guitar players) in the bar area, usually Friday and Saturday, sometimes Thursday evenings.
• The location has outdoor patio seating; the applicants will return in spring 2026 to request outdoor licensing.
• Ms. Cunningham, the resident licensee, stated her tip certification is current and she will visit about twice a month.
• The board approved the license unanimously, contingent on receipt of the use and occupancy (UNO) and health permits, with approval extended to June 2026.

New License Application — Waldorf Eatery LLC trading as Expectation Waldorf (Class B RB)

• Mr. Desai and Ethan Martinez, trading as Waldorf Eatery LLC, applied for a new Class B RB restaurant bar license (beer, wine, and liquor on sale) at 4574 Fairway Village Place, Waldorf, MD 20602, in the same shopping center as Farmhouse Waldorf.
• Mr. Desai testified he operates four Expectation restaurants in Maryland, has been in the restaurant business since 2018, and involved with alcohol since 2008. He described Expectation as a Canadian franchise offering all-day breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in a casual yet upscale bar-and-grill setting.
• Approximately 40–45 employees will be hired initially. All managers, servers, and bar staff will be alcohol awareness certified before serving, and daily shift meetings will address ID checks. Desai plans to be at the location at least four days per week initially.
• Proposed hours: Monday–Sunday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. The live entertainment request was withdrawn.
• The restaurant has outdoor seating; the applicants will return in spring for outdoor licensing. Opening is expected around April 2026, with the general manager training at another location for 3–4 months and staff receiving 3 weeks of training.
• Ms. Simmons confirmed the applicants reported no alcohol-related issues at their four other establishments.
• The board approved the license unanimously, contingent on receipt of the UNO and health permits, with approval extended to May 2026.

New License Application — Coast and Sole Connection LLC (Class D)

• Walter Dyson III, trading as Coast and Sole Connection LLC, applied for a new Class D beer/wine on-and-off sale and liquor off-sale license at 3330 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640, the former Walton's location that has operated for about 90 years.
• Mr. Dyson testified he has at least 25 years in the food and beverage industry and described the concept as continuing Walton's legacy with a new generation spin, keeping eat-in/take-away food and alcohol service for the Bryan's Road/Pomonkey community.
• Dyson will be on site every day and plans to hire about two employees, with alcohol awareness certification required for anyone handling alcohol. Hours: closed Monday–Tuesday; Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• He estimated roughly 90 days to obtain permits, while his attorney noted some new county requirements (e.g., parking) may apply. Dyson confirmed his permanent address is in La Plata after a board member noted three addresses in the application.
• The board approved the license unanimously, contingent on receipt of the UNO and health permits, extended to March 2026.
• Following the vote, the board declared the prior license held in abatement by IMO International Inc. (the previous Walton's license holder) terminated, after the board attorney confirmed the license expired following the October Liquor Board hearing.

Temporary Outdoor Service — Jones Seafood LLC trading as Bubbles Place

• Jason Jones requested a temporary defined outside area for oyster scalds one or two weekends per month from November 15, 2025 through April 30, 2026, at 15486 Rock Point Road, Newburg, MD. A notification of changed hours listed Sunday 7 a.m.–2 p.m., Monday–Tuesday 5:30 a.m.–2 p.m., and Wednesday–Saturday 5:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Jones clarified by email that the business is closed on Sundays during winter hours.
• Board member Ms. Jones endorsed the oyster scalds as well-run and popular, noting the area is fully fenced, parking is separate, and the site is cleaned up afterward. Only oysters (and sometimes crab cakes or shrimp) are served outside; food from inside must be carried out by customers.
• The board approved the request by amended motion, waiving the exception prohibiting beer service outside so beer may be consumed within the fenced area. The initial motion said November through January but was corrected to run through April 30, 2026. Conditions: fencing must remain up, everyone must stay inside the fencing, and no alcohol may be consumed outside the fenced area.

Notifications and Discussion — Sichuan Gardens and Pasha Lounge

• Sichuan Gardens (11149 Mall Circle, Waldorf) notified the board of its reopening effective October 28, 2025. The board confirmed the establishment is free and clear with no additional county stipulations.
• Pasha Lounge (Taskin and Joyce Curtis, Pasha Groups Inc., 3242 Old Washington Road, Waldorf) notified the board of new hours: Monday closed; Tuesday–Wednesday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.–12 a.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
• The board discussed at length whether Pasha Lounge, which received its county liquor license in March 2025 and obtained a state tobacconist license in October 2025, violates the moratorium prohibiting liquor licenses for tobacconists (establishments deriving 70% or more of revenue from tobacco products and allowing indoor smoking). The moratorium runs through June 30, 2026.
• The board attorney stated he had personally asked whether Pasha Lounge was a tobacconist before the license was issued and was told no. Master Corporal Bourgeois explained the state's position that the tobacco license was lawfully obtained and will not be revoked by the state; the county's concern is that a licensee cannot hold both licenses simultaneously. Bourgeois is also preparing an incident report, noting a fire at the establishment is under fire marshal investigation.
• Board members debated a letter versus a show cause order. One board member expressed concern that "where there's smoke there's fire," while others argued a letter would establish intent on the record. The consensus was to send a letter requiring Pasha Lounge to appear before the board to clarify its status and next steps, with a timeframe to act; a show cause order would follow if the licensee fails to comply.
• The board also discussed the lack of state–county checks on tobacco licensing. Bourgeois noted there are approximately 162 tobacco licenses in the county, state fees are rising from $25 to $300 and eventually $1,500, and he offered to check courthouse records and include tobacco license status in future board presentations.

Seasonal Closing, Minutes, Inspections, and 2026 Meeting Dates

• Captain Billy's Crab House Inc. (11495 Pope's Creek Road, Newburg, MD) notified the board of a seasonal closing from November 1, 2025 to April 3, 2026.
• The board approved the minutes from the October 9, 2025 meeting.
• Inspector Ms. Couples reported no issues in the October 2025 inspections but noted many alcohol awareness certifications will expire in 2026, and contact information has been provided to affected establishments.
• The board approved the 2026 meeting dates. The January 8, 2026 regular date is unavailable, so the January meeting will be held January 15, 2026 in the Blue Room if available; one board member noted a travel conflict but confirmed a quorum exists. A separate discussion about providing laptops to board members was deferred.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Farmhouse Waldorf LLC Class B BLX license with entertainment, contingent on UNO and health permits, extended to June 2026.
• Approved (unanimous): Waldorf Eatery LLC (Expectation Waldorf) Class B RB license without entertainment, contingent on UNO and health permits, extended to May 2026.
• Approved (unanimous): Coast and Sole Connection LLC Class D license, contingent on UNO and health permits, extended to March 2026.
• Declared terminated (unanimous): IMO International Inc. liquor license previously held in abatement for the Walton's property.
• Approved (unanimous, amended): Bubbles Place temporary outdoor service for oyster scalds through April 30, 2026, with a waiver allowing beer consumption within the fenced outdoor area.
• Consensus: Send a letter to Pasha Lounge to appear before the board to resolve the tobacconist/alcohol license conflict, with a show cause order as a follow-up if needed.
• Approved: October 9, 2025 meeting minutes; October 2025 inspection report; 2026 meeting dates (January 2026 meeting moved to January 15).
• Scheduled: Liquor Outlet Waldorf LLC to return for its retail delivery update at the January 2026 meeting; Farmhouse Waldorf and Expectation Waldorf to return in spring 2026 for outdoor licensing requests.