Charles County Board of Licensed Commissioners Meeting – March 12, 2026

The Charles County Board of Licensed Commissioners met on March 12, 2026, to act on one-day temporary alcohol licenses, license extensions, a new restaurant license, a contested transfer of an existing Class D license, show-cause orders, and routine administrative items. The docket included public testimony both supporting and opposing the Fairway Wine Shop transfer. All actions were completed during the meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 12, 2026, meeting minutes.
• Reviewed the February 2026 alcohol beverage inspection report.
• Noted the ownership change for Szechuan Gardens HS Inc. (Hung Wei Singh transferred his interest to Teng Chengsu, making him sole owner/license holder) and Captain Billy's Crab House's planned reopening on April 10, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public testimony was taken on the proposed transfer of the Class D license to Fairway Wine Shop.

Supporters:

• Alfred Bryce, a Fairway Village resident, said the new shopping center is well lit, has cameras and security, and he would feel safe there.
• Julio Garcia, a nearby resident, said the store would be within a 10-minute walk.
• Prince Patel and Angeli Patel, nearby residents, supported the store as close to home and convenient for one-stop shopping with Wise Market.
• Spencer and Sebastian Chamberlain supported the new center; Spencer is a small business owner and Chamber of Commerce member.
• Larry Richardson, a Waldorf resident, supported the Patel family and said good customer service retains clientele.
• Darien Cooper, a UPS driver, said the area is growing and the store would be convenient and revenue-generating.
• Sanjay Patel, a nearby resident, said the population is growing and he expects a first-class operation.

Opponents:

• Ashok Kavi, a nearby liquor store owner, said gross sales fell 3% last year and a new store would cut his net profit 6-7% and force layoffs.
• Brenda Frazier, who lives between existing and proposed stores, cited loitering outside a liquor store near Safeway and proximity to a school.
• Hardy Patel, a license holder for Corner Liquor, said sales are already down 10-15%; his loan is secured by his house, and he could default.
• Don Hardy, manager of Rosewick Wine and Spirits, said the owner purchased the store for roughly $1.3 million using her house as collateral; another store could cost 50% of revenue and threaten jobs.
• Employees D. Burrell and Isal Vicaria opposed the transfer, warning of job losses and saying the community is already served.
• Caleb McConnell, a nearby resident, described bad experiences with an existing corner liquor store and expressed concern for young residents.

Discussion Items

Temporary One-Day License – National Wild Turkey Federation The Southern Maryland chapter requested a Class C license for March 28, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata, Maryland, for approximately 400-500 attendees. Robert Boardman testified it was the 33rd annual banquet and that there had been no incidents in 32 years. Controls included ID checks, wristbands, one-drink service, two active-duty county officers in plain clothes, retired officers, and exit monitors. The board approved the license.

Temporary One-Day License – Benevolent Protective Order of Elks The Elks Lodge Waldorf requested a Class E license for May 29, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a rain date of June 5, 2026, at White Plains Golf Course, 1015 St. Charles Parkway, White Plains, Maryland, for approximately 100 golfers. Alton Mobbs, a lodge trustee, said there would be 100% ID check-in, continuously staffed beer holes on holes 6 and 13, two roving carts, and security. The board approved the license.

Estate Continuation – Ray's Pier Raymond Rawlings, sole owner of Ray's Pier in Benedict, Maryland, died on February 6, 2026. Attorney Robert Burke presented the death certificate and letters of administration appointing daughter Sherry Beck as executrix. The board approved a certificate of permission allowing the estate to continue the business for up to 18 months, with a $1 fee to reissue the license in the estate's name. A renewal may be processed without a hearing if submitted completely.

Extension – Pier House Restaurant Aaron McGovern requested additional time to pick up the previously approved license for Pier House Restaurant at 16320 Cobb Island Road, Newburgh, Maryland. He said the restaurant is ready, 25-30 employees are hired, and indoor/outdoor capacity is 400-500, but he is waiting on a health department review of a 148-page application. The board granted a 60-day extension. Board members expressed frustration that a single reviewer was delaying the opening and costing the county tax revenue.

Extension – Coast and Soul Connection Walter Dyson requested additional time to pick up his license for Coast and Soul Connection at 3330 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland. He said the work is about 75% complete, with the main remaining item being installation of an upgraded fire suppression system. The board granted a 90-day extension.

Withdrawal – D Aurora Lamps David Martinez reported that contract contingencies could not be met, the sale contract was terminated, and the applicant withdrew the transfer. The license remains with the current holder, who was advised to file a renewal application.

Temporary Closure – Berner's Bar & Grill The board granted a requested temporary closure for Troy Burner's Berner's Bar & Grill at 4300 Hawthorne Road, Indian Head, Maryland, from March 11 through March 28, 2026, for vacation. The licensee had notified the board by email.

New License – Bayou Kitchen and Bar Monarch Vision Group LLC, trading as Bayou Kitchen and Bar at 173 St. Patrick's Drive, Suite 105/106, Waldorf, Maryland, applied for a new Class B R B restaurant/bar license with entertainment. Applicants Jaquia Richardson and Jennifer Fair testified. Richardson said the restaurant will be veteran- and educator-owned, serve Creole and Southern cuisine, be family-friendly, and partner with local organizations. Proposed hours: closed Mondays; Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The plan includes 25-30 employees, alcohol-awareness certification, 100% ID checks, a manager with alcohol sales experience, and entertainment such as solo musicians, karaoke, and DJs. The board approved the license, contingent on a corrected Maryland sales tax certificate, use-and-occupancy permit, and health permit, and granted a 60-day pickup extension. The board advised the applicants to obtain the current rules and regulations booklet.

Contested Transfer – Fairway Wine Shop Nittin Patel and Fairway Liquors Inc. sought to transfer the existing Class D beer/wine/liquor on/off-sale license from Prime Street Grill at 4860 Crane Highway, White Plains, Maryland, to Fairway Wine Shop at 4545 Fairway Village Place, Suite 103, Waldorf, Maryland, about two miles away. Developer Gorman testified that the center is anchored by Wise Market, which opened February 19, 2026; population growth and the St. Charles Master Plan support the location; co-location of liquor stores with grocery anchors is standard. Patel described a first-class wine, craft beer, and spirits store with tastings and charcuterie, 3,000 square feet, six to seven employees, and hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Linda Carter, attorney for Rosewick Wine and Spirits, opposed the transfer and argued that the district is saturated, alcohol consumption is declining, cannabis legalization is cutting sales, and adding 3,000 square feet of retail would harm existing licensees, some of whom face mortgage and default risk. Opponents also noted that Prime Street Grill does not currently operate a dedicated self-serve liquor store area. The applicant's rebuttal argued that no new license is created, population has grown by about 8,000-9,000 since the 2016 quota change from 1,350 to 2,700 people per off-sale license, and nearby Pine Grove adds about 2,700 homes. One board member expressed concern that the transfer could be a way to skirt the off-sale quota; another viewed it as lawful competition. The board approved the transfer contingent on receipt of the health permit and use-and-occupancy permit, with 180 days to obtain them. The motion carried with one board member opposed.

New License – Prime Street Grill After the Class D license transfer, Tony Lee Graham and Nicholas White / NWTG Inc. received a new Class B R B restaurant/bar on-sale license for Prime Street Grill. They testified that the restaurant operation, hours, staffing of approximately 30 employees, and reservation-based bar policy would remain the same, and the outdoor seating area of about 500 square feet would be included. The board approved the license unanimously.

Show Cause – Szechuan Gardens The board dismissed the show-cause order against Szechuan Gardens HS Inc. for failing to obtain prior approval for a closure of more than 10 consecutive days. Attorney Martinez argued that the closure was caused by a health department shutdown, making 30-day advance notice impossible; the board agreed.

Show Cause – Chesapeake Wine Shop Vandeman Sony / Chesapeake Wine Shop admitted a violation of 18-1902.1(a): on February 10, 2026, at approximately 10:52 a.m., no TIPS/TAM-certified supervisor was present on the licensed premises. The licensee had a prior commitment-in-lieu letter from October 6, 2020. The board found the violation and imposed a $250 fine.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the National Wild Turkey Federation one-day temporary license.
• Approved the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks one-day temporary license.
• Approved Ray's Pier estate continuation for 18 months.
• Granted a 60-day license pickup extension to Pier House Restaurant.
• Granted a 90-day license pickup extension to Coast and Soul Connection.
• Approved the temporary closure of Berner's Bar & Grill.
• Approved Bayou Kitchen and Bar's new license with entertainment and a 60-day pickup extension.
• Approved the Fairway Wine Shop Class D transfer with conditions and 180 days to obtain permits; one board member opposed.
• Approved Prime Street Grill's new Class B R B license with outdoor seating.
• Dismissed the Szechuan Gardens show-cause order.
• Found Chesapeake Wine Shop in violation and fined $250.
• Approved the February 2026 minutes and adjourned.