I. Regular Items (New, Transfers, Expansions and Hardships):
| Applicants | John Chenery and Alesia Chenery |
| Business Name | JR’s Bar & Grill, Inc. |
| Trading As | Trade Name Pending |
| Address | 1229 Hull Street |
| Type of License | Class “BD7” Beer, Wine & Liquor License |
| Reason for hearing | Application to transfer ownership with continuation of live entertainment. |
| Hearing notes | Mr. Kodenski proffered that his clients are transferring the ownership of an existing bar. The operation of the bar will not change at all. Chairman Matricciani noted that there were letters of opposition in the file. Kodenski responded that the applicants have met with the opponents of the transfer to address their needs and concerns.
The general manager testified that he has run restaurants for twenty-five years in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Howard County, and Baltimore City and was on liquor licenses in Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County. He’s never had any violations at his establishments, he said. They’re trying to shift the bar to be more food-focused, rather than alcohol-focused, partially to cater to an Under Armour crowd. Ms. Chenery testified that she lives very close to the establishment. In response to complaints raised by commissioners pulled from the neighbors’ letters, she said that she had already attended a community meeting to address each concern. The licensees had previously blocked off part of the street on delivery days, but they changed their policies after reading the neighbors’ complaints. They brought a sound engineer in to help decrease the noise. Their morning staff will make sure that the sidewalks are swept and that their trash contractor doesn’t create a mess when they pick up trash. Ms. Chenery testified that she will attend community association meetings and has already provided her contact information to the community members who were frustrated with a prior lack of responsiveness. Commissioner Moore asked whether the agency is allowed to approve outdoor live entertainment. Mr. Akras responded that he was not sure. |
| Result of hearing | Approved |
| Vote tally | Unanimous |
| Portions of state law cited in decision | None |
| Other reasons given for decision | None |
| Issues raised in audit present in this case or other issues observed | None |
| Applicants | Diandra Beckford and Damion Foster |
| Business Name | Vibes by Island Vybz, LLC |
| Trading As | V Lounge & Restaurant |
| Address | 2101 Maryland Avenue |
| Type of License | Class “B” Beer, Wine & Liquor License |
| Reason for hearing | Application to transfer ownership with continuation of live entertainment, request for off-premise catering and delivery of alcoholic beverages. |
| Hearing notes | Mr. Eric Smith, the transferring licensee, testified that he will continue to help the two new applicants after the transfer. He has been on several liquor licenses in Baltimore City, but he has never had a violation. Mr. Foster has owned and managed restaurants in Baltimore for the past six years, including Boston Market and Taylor Gourmet. Ms. Beckford does not have alcohol management experience. They have already contracted with a security company. They submitted a letter of support from the community association as well as an executed MOU. The restaurant will serve authentic Jamaican cuisine as well as American food. |
| Result of hearing | Approved |
| Vote tally | Unanimous |
| Portions of state law cited in decision | None |
| Other reasons given for decision | None |
| Issues raised in audit present in this case or other issues observed | None |
| Applicants | Ashraf Ibrahim, Sameh Ebrahim, and Nathaniel Brown |
| Business Name | A & S Brothers, Inc. |
| Trading As | Lust |
| Address | 408 E. Baltimore Street |
| Type of License | Class “BD7” Beer, Wine & Liquor License |
| Reason for hearing | Application to transfer ownership of the Class “BD7” Beer, Wine and Liquor License and Class “AE” Adult Entertainment License. |
| Hearing notes | Mr. Melvin Kodenski proffered that Mr. Brown will be the main manager and has worked in the adult entertainment business for several years. The licensees had formerly run another restaurant called Crazy John’s. They plan on doing a “massive cleanup” of the Lust club, because the place had a “really bad record.” Mr. Brown testified about his experience in the restaurant and alcohol management, including work at Holy Frijoles in Hampden and establishments on The Block. Commissioner Moore noted that Mr. Brown had an assault conviction in the late 1990s; Brown testified that he had not had any problems with the law since then.
Commissioner Greenfield asked how the applicants plan to avoid future violations at the club, in light of its troubled legal history. The applicants said that they will be there every day to make sure there are no issues. |
| Result of hearing | Approved |
| Vote tally | Unanimous |
| Portions of state law cited in decision | None |
| Other reasons given for decision | None |
| Issues raised in audit present in this case or other issues observed | None |
| Applicants | Terry Coffman, Olga Coffman, and Barbara Manfried |
| Business Name | 110 Water Street Series 274, LLC |
| Trading As | Supano’s Steak House |
| Address | 110 Water Street |
| Type of License | Class “B” Beer, Wine & Liquor License |
| Reason for hearing | Request to expand premise to include 2nd and 3rd floors for business. |
| Hearing notes | Mr. Coffman testified that his proposed expansion to the 2nd and 3rd floors is permitted under the building’s zoning (B-4). He plans to continue the same business, just with extra dining rooms. |
| Result of hearing | Approved |
| Vote tally | Unanimous |
| Portions of state law cited in decision | None |
| Other reasons given for decision | None |
| Issues raised in audit present in this case or other issues observed | None |