Liquor license awarded

June 21, 2007|by DAN DEARTH

HAGERSTOWN - A local developer recently was awarded the former Red Horse Steak House & Anvil Bar's liquor license to open a carryout store on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown.

Robert L. Everhart, chairman of the Washington County Board of License Commissioners, said a letter was delivered Monday notifying developer Don Bowman that Bowman's request for the license had been granted.

Bowman could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

During a June 6 hearing, Bowman lobbied the commissioners for the license.

After he spoke, Hagerstown City Councilwomen Penny M. Nigh and Alesia Parson-McBean, who attended the hearing, took turns telling the commissioners that Bowman's plan to open the carryout store in the first block of South Potomac Street would encourage undesirable people to visit there.

Nigh said city officials went to great lengths to clear that area of the Double T Lounge and McBare's Pub - two drinking establishments that were the sites of several alcohol-related incidents.

It didn't make sense, she said, to replace those businesses with another one that sells alcohol.

Red Horse owner Chris Jefferies closed the restaurant earlier this month after deciding to retire. He came to Bowman's defense during the hearing, saying that Bowman intended to sell fine wines.

That kind of merchandise wouldn't attract the undesirable type of people that Nigh referred to, Jefferies said.

When asked for a comment after the liquor license was granted, Nigh said, "So be it."

Parson-McBean said she hoped the commissioners' decision would be productive for the city.

"I am for progress," she said. "I just want it to be responsible."

|

|

|