Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board – June 9, 2026

The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board met on June 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in a hybrid format (Banneker Room and WebEx) to consider four alcoholic beverage license applications. All applications were approved unanimously. The meeting began with approval of the minutes from the May 12, 2026 hearing (Chair Chen, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Hunt abstaining due to absence, Ms. Kim all voted yes).

Discussion Items

1. Transfer of Class D Beer & Light Wine 7-Day On/Off Sale License

• From: Highgate Maryland Concessions, LLC t/a Hampton Inn (in the name of Raymond Bushby) for a 33,792 sq. ft. hotel at 8880 Columbia 100 Parkway, Columbia, MD.
• To: Govind Hospitality, LLC t/a Hampton Inn (in the name of Gita G. Patel) for the same address.
• Presented by: Attorney Linda Carter for Ms. Patel.
• Testimony: Ms. Patel affirmed she is alcohol awareness certified, experienced in Prince George’s County (one violation in 2021 where she was not present), and will spend about 40 hours per week on-site. The hotel is managed by a company operating 157 hotels. The board questioned the role of the management company; Ms. Patel confirmed she is responsible for inventory and policies.
• Board Deliberation: Members noted her experience, clean record aside from one violation, and that she understands her responsibilities. No concerns about the delegation to management.

2. New Class D Beer & Light Wine 7-Day On Sale License

• To: HI Concessions Columbia I, LLC t/a Hampton Inn & Suites (in the names of Melissa McBean and Jesse Kremer) for a 70,623 sq. ft. hotel at 7045 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD.
• Presented by: Attorney Lee Ann Shrekgast.
• Background: The hotel previously held a license from 2019 to 2022 but surrendered it in 2023 due to internal corporate issues (not a violation).
• Testimony: Melissa McBean (10% interest, director of sales, 50-60 hours/week) and Jesse Kremer (90% interest, VP of operations for parent company McNeil Hotels, which owns 19 properties) are both alcohol awareness certified. Alcohol is sold only through the hotel’s sweet shop, stored in a locked closet. All eight employees involved are certified.
• Board Deliberation: Members noted the company’s experience and Ms. McBean’s familiarity with the property. The license covers the entire hotel footprint because guests may take alcohol to their rooms.

3. New Class B Beer & Light Wine 7-Day On/Off Sale License

• To: Forever Primo, LLC t/a Go Primo’s NY Pizza Company (in the name of Milad Araghi) for a 1,516 sq. ft. restaurant at 2020 Marriottsville Road, Suite C, Marriottsville, MD.
• Testimony: Mr. Araghi (pro se) has owned the pizzeria for four years, operated it for nine years with no health violations. He requests the license due to customer demand, expecting 10–15% of sales from alcohol. He is alcohol awareness certified; one other employee is certified. Alcohol will be stored under the counter in the kitchen, locked. He purchases from a certified Maryland wholesaler (Bonds Distributing). He supports the community through fundraisers for schools, a church (Chapel Gate), and a fire department.
• Board Deliberation: Members commended his presentation and community involvement. They clarified that the license allows sealed containers for off-premise consumption when purchased with food.

4. New Class B Beer, Wine & Liquor 7-Day On Sale License

• To: 10039, LLC t/a Angeli’s Pizzeria (in the names of Cuneyt Ozturk and Mert Ozturk) for a 1,500 sq. ft. restaurant at 10039 Baltimore National Pike, Suite C, Ellicott City, MD.
• Presented by: Attorney Sang O., representing the Ozturk brothers.
• Background: The applicants own five Angeli’s Pizzeria locations in Baltimore City, all with liquor licenses. This would be their first Howard County location. The business is a replacement for River House Pizza.
• Testimony: Cuneyt Ozturk (50% owner) testified. He acknowledged three prior violations (2014, 2016, 2018) at a previous concept (Bosphorus Bistro) for sales to minors, but stated they have learned from mistakes and have a strong compliance system at Angeli’s. No violations at Angeli’s locations. Both brothers are TAMS certified. They plan to be on-site daily for the first six months and will have a certified assistant manager thereafter. The restaurant will offer a full cocktail menu (sangria, margaritas, etc.) and operate 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Community involvement includes donating 10,000 pizzas to healthcare workers during the pandemic and a pumpkin collection program.
• Board Deliberation: Members discussed the prior violations, but were satisfied with the applicant’s candor, training systems, and community engagement. They noted the alcohol awareness certificates expire in 2027; the applicant agreed to renew promptly.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve Transfer (Item 1): Approved unanimously (Chair Chen, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Hunt, Ms. Kim all votes yes). The applicant waived the right to appeal.
• Motion to Approve New License (Item 2): Approved unanimously. The applicant waived the right to appeal.
• Motion to Approve New License (Item 3): Approved unanimously (noted as Class B beer and light wine, on/off sale). The applicant waived the right to appeal.
• Motion to Approve New License (Item 4): Approved unanimously (Class B beer, wine and liquor, on sale). The applicant waived the right to appeal.

The meeting adjourned after all applications were decided.