Charles County Liquor Board Meeting Summary – January 8, 2026

The Charles County Liquor Board met on January 8, 2026, in regular session. The board rescheduled one retail-delivery item because the applicant was not present, approved several one-day temporary licenses, approved three license transfers, and discussed proposed changes to its rules and regulations. All approvals were by unanimous voice vote unless otherwise noted.

Rescheduled Item

• Retail Delivery Update, Liquor Outlet Waldorf, LLC: rescheduled to the next meeting because Mr. Patel was not present.

Temporary License Applications

• Charles County Public Library Foundation, Inc.: Board approved a one-day Class C temporary license for April 17, 2026, 6:30–10 p.m., at the Waldorf Branch Library, 10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf, with approximately 130 people expected. Applicant Shannon Bland testified it is an adults-only after-hours fundraiser; IDs are checked and wristbands issued for alcohol; one temporary bar will be set up downstairs; proceeds support library programs and services including story time, STEM education, My Fresh Start (a free shower program for unhoused residents), and mobile outreach.
• College of Southern Maryland: Board approved one-day Class C temporary licenses for three cooking classes on January 22, February 12, and April 30, 2026, at 27 Industrial Park, Waldorf, with approximately 14 attendees each. Applicant Shonda Holt testified classes have run successfully for more than 12 years; registration is 21+, the chef and assistant are TIPS certified, IDs are checked, the instructor/assistant are the only servers, attendees are limited to two glasses of wine, and alcohol is not used in cooking.
• Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Inc.: Board approved a one-day Class C temporary license for Jazz in the Park on May 19, 2026, 2–5 p.m., at 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head, contingent on obtaining a special event permit from Planning and Growth Management (Sherry Davis). President Krista Watkins testified this first-time fundraiser will support community scholarships; IDs and 21+ wristbands will be checked at entry, vendors must check wristbands, the alcohol will be inside a fenced perimeter, coolers are not allowed, tickets are advance-only, the Charles County Sheriff's Office will provide security, and about 200 people are expected, with security increased if attendance exceeds that. The motion also included a rain date of the 17th, though the transcript does not specify the month.
• Ducks Unlimited, Charles County Chapter: Board approved a one-day Class C temporary license for February 28, 2026, 5–11 p.m., at the Charles County Fairgrounds, with no rain date. The application noted approximately 350 people expected, but the approval motion referenced approximately 250; the transcript does not resolve the discrepancy. Co-chair Lewis Neighbor testified the fundraiser supports Ducks Unlimited National's wildlife and marshland work; trained bartenders card all patrons and stamp 21+, the Charles County Sheriff's Office is on site, alcohol is limited to a designated bar area and cannot leave the building, patrons are limited to two drinks at one time, and the event is pre-sale only with no walk-ins. Long guns will be raffled/auctioned through an FFL, with no handguns, no ammunition on-site, and background checks before transfer.

License Transfers

• Riverboat on the Potomac: Board approved the transfer/addition of Gangadeep Surrey to the Class D beer, wine, and liquor on/off-sale license with entertainment and outside service for L D O E Inc., trading as Riverboat on the Potomac, 301 Beach Terrace, Colonial Beach, Virginia. Attorney David Martinez said Surrey, previously a Charles County license holder for Chesapeake Wine Shop, is now an officer; the establishment will modify hours to Sunday 9 a.m.–9 p.m., closed Monday, Tuesday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., with no other operational changes. The board reminded applicants to bring the old license when picking up the new one.
• Pisgah General Store / Pisgah Liquor & Deli: Board approved the transfer of the Class D beer, wine, and liquor on/off-sale license from Chiman Park and Tristan Valeo to Deep Sharma Aurora / Kishmi Devi LLC, trading as Pisgah Liquor and Deli, Poor House Road, Indian Head. Staff noted a U&O and health permit are required; the transcript lists the address as 5015 in the staff reading and 7015 in the motion. Aurora testified she held a license at Lee's Market for almost eight years, will ID anyone purchasing alcohol, will refuse service to holders of vertical underage Maryland IDs, will keep current employees if agreements can be reached, and will ensure employees are alcohol-awareness trained. Hours will be Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; the new trade name has been registered with SDAT, and a bulk transfer permit will be filed with ATC if settlement completes.
• La Hacienda 2: Board approved the corporate substitution of Fidel Castellano onto the Class B-BR restaurant/bar beer, wine, and liquor license for La Hacienda 2 LLC, 2796 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, with entertainment, replacing Cynthia Hernandez Ortega and Jacob Riviera while Jonathan Jennings remains. Approval was contingent on confirmation from the Treasurer's Office that the corporation is back in good standing with the state. Castellano testified he will be in the restaurant 3–4 days per week, currently lives in New Jersey but plans to move to Maryland in 3–4 months, will ID every person seeking alcohol, and will hire/retain TIPS-certified management. Modified hours: Monday–Wednesday 2 p.m.–midnight, Thursday–Saturday 2 p.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 4 p.m.–midnight; Jennings remains the resident licensee and is typically there four days a week.

Other Business & Rule Changes

• Jones Seafood LLC, trading as Bubbles Place, notified the board of a change in hours effective 1/26 (as transcribed): Monday–Saturday 5:30 a.m.–2 p.m., closed Sundays.
• December 2025 inspections were presented; no board questions were recorded.
• The board approved the minutes from the December 11, 2025 meeting.
• The board discussed proposed amendments to its Rules and Regulations:
  • Rule 3.104: remove language making minutes the official record because the Open Meetings Act provides that a recording of a hearing prevails; minutes will be a synopsis.
  • Rule 4.101(25): require a copy of a state-issued driver's license or ID in the application package to verify identity/residence.
  • Rule 4.10 (renewals): clarify that renewal applications are mailed around February 28, due by March 31, licenses expire April 30, and extension requests must be filed before the April hearing. Board members noted the timeline is tight but statutory; staff said renewal reminders are also sent.
• The rule changes were scheduled for a public hearing and vote at the February 12, 2026 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Rescheduled: Retail Delivery Update for Liquor Outlet Waldorf, LLC.
• Approved temporary license for Charles County Public Library Foundation (April 17, 2026).
• Approved three temporary licenses for College of Southern Maryland (Jan 22, Feb 12, Apr 30, 2026).
• Approved temporary license for Ivy and Pearls Jazz in the Park (May 19, 2026), contingent on special event permit.
• Approved temporary license for Ducks Unlimited (Feb 28, 2026); attendance discrepancy noted.
• Approved Riverboat on the Potomac license transfer.
• Approved Pisgah General Store/Liquor & Deli license transfer.
• Approved La Hacienda 2 license transfer, contingent on state good-standing confirmation.
• Approved December 11, 2025 meeting minutes.
• Scheduled February 12, 2026 public hearing/vote on proposed rule changes.