Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board Meeting – September 29, 2026

The Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board convened on September 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM in a hybrid format to consider four license matters: a change of resident agent for First Watch Restaurants, Inc., and three applications for new Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses for El Aguila, Kawa Sushi Ayce, and Al's Love Cafe. The board voted on each matter following testimony and deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 15, 2026 open session and closed session (motion by Chair Chen, seconded; vote: 4-0).

Change of Resident Agent – First Watch Restaurants, Inc. (t/a First Watch)

• Proposal: Change the resident agent from Krista Nicole Wagner to Emily Elisabeth Klank for the restaurant at 6478 Dobbin Center Way, Suite 300, Columbia, MD. The license is Class B beer, wine & liquor, 7-day on/off sale.
• Testimony: Attorney Shreckhost presented. Emily Klank, the new resident agent and general manager (50 hours/week), testified she has 17 years in the industry, 10 in management. The restaurant serves breakfast/lunch (five alcoholic drinks, vodka and tequila). No violations since obtaining the license a year ago. Previous agent moved to North Carolina.
• Discussion: Board members noted the simple change and Klank's direct presence. No opposition.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve carried unanimously (4-0). Applicants waived right to appeal.

New License – ODJ, LLC t/a El Aguila (10035 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City)

• Proposal: New Class B beer, wine & liquor, 7-day on/off sale license for a 7,866 sq. ft. restaurant with a 700 sq. ft. patio. Applicant entities: Dario Orellana (Sr.) and Dario Javier Orellana. Attorney Thernoff represented.
• Testimony: The restaurant will serve Tex-Mex and Latin cuisine. Dario Orellana Sr. (43 years in business) operates two existing El Aguila locations in Montgomery County (Randolph Road and Georgia Avenue). Mark Eager, former Glory Days manager at the same location, will be day-to-day manager. Expected food-to-alcohol ratio: 80/20. Planned opening: October 15, 2026. All managers alcohol awareness certified.
• Discussion: Board members raised concerns from an investigation by Officer Baxter: undisclosed traffic violations, a 2023 violation at Randolph Road for sale to a minor (applicants denied this, saying they never received notice), and a third violation at Georgia Avenue regarding alcohol awareness certification (2017). Labeling issues with pre-mixed margaritas also noted. Board member Hunt expressed discomfort with ownership's lack of disclosure and oversight. The board proposed changing the resident agent to Mark Eager, who would be present full-time. Applicants agreed.
• Key Outcome: Motion to approve the license conditional on amending the resident agent to Mark Eager (with required experience and certification) carried unanimously (4-0). Applicants waived appeal. They must submit an amended application; no new hearing required.

New License – Kawa Sushi Ayce, Inc. (t/a Kawa Sushi Ayce, 8221 Gateway Overlook Drive, Elkridge)

• Proposal: New Class B beer, wine & liquor, 7-day on sale license for a 4,708 sq. ft. restaurant. Applicants: Wen Hao Chen and Xiao Yi Zheng. A Mandarin interpreter assisted.
• Testimony: The restaurant is already open and serves sushi. Applicants have 20+ years of restaurant experience but no prior alcohol license. They estimated 30% of sales would be alcohol. The two managers (the applicants) plan to be on-site 50+ hours/week. They intend to serve wine, sake, and some liquor. No employees were alcohol awareness certified at the time of the hearing; applicants said they would train them if approved.
• Discussion: Board members criticized the applicants for lack of preparation, no presentation, and no employees with alcohol certification. Chair Chen noted disrespect. Board member Hunt initially leaned toward denial but, after learning the two applicants themselves hold certifications and answered questions correctly, changed his view. However, other members still felt the applicants lacked experience with alcohol service. The board considered and rejected an outright denial (which would require a one-year wait). Instead, they voted to postpone the application to allow the applicants to identify and add a resident agent with prior experience selling alcohol and who is alcohol awareness certified.
• Key Outcome: Motion to postpone (continue) the application carried unanimously (4-0). The applicants must submit an amended application identifying a qualified resident agent. No new hearing date set; the board will schedule after receipt. The board strongly recommended (but did not mandate) retaining an attorney or consultant for the next appearance.

New License – Al’s Love Café, LLC (t/a Al’s Love Cafe, 3785 Hamilton Street, Ellicott City)

• Proposal: New Class B beer, wine & liquor, 7-day on sale license for a 1,000 sq. ft. restaurant with a 162 sq. ft. patio. Applicant: Alarice Vidale de Palacios.
• Testimony: Ms. Palacios made a detailed presentation. The cafe is a coffee shop/restaurant with a mission to employ and train neurodivergent individuals. She has 11 years as a support broker for DDA, operates five businesses (combined ~$1M revenue, 42 employees), and previously managed Fire Station Restaurant in Montgomery County. Since opening in February 2026, Al's Love Cafe generated $19,400 in sales over three months (1,454 transactions). The alcohol program would be limited (10-15% of sales), served table-side only by managers. She has alcohol awareness certification since 2016. She acknowledged a past CDS conviction from age 19 (1992) and unpaid moving violations. She plans to have managers become certified.
• Discussion: Board members praised the mission and community impact. They noted her experience and responsible plan. Concerns about her Florida driver's license were resolved by confirming she can prove residency through leases. Expected low alcohol volume and clear policies were well received.
• Key Outcome: Motion to grant the license carried unanimously (4-0). Applicant waived right to appeal.

Key Outcomes

• First Watch (Change of Agent): Approved unanimously.
• El Aguila (New License): Approved unanimously with condition to change resident agent to Mark Eager.
• Kawa Sushi Ayce (New License): Postponed; applicants must amend application to add an experienced resident agent.
• Al’s Love Cafe (New License): Approved unanimously.
• The board adjourned after completing all matters.