The operator of the Hall of Fame Restaurant and Pub on Dual Highway in Hagerstown said he probably would be forced to close this weekend because state liquor board officials refused to grant the business a license to serve alcohol.
Roy Lorshbaugh, who operates the restaurant, made the comment Wednesday during a hearing when the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County, known as the liquor board, told him the state would not approve the request.
Robert L. Everhart, liquor board chairman, said the decision was made by liquor officials in Annapolis.
"The state said, 'Don't give them a license,'" Everhart said.
Everhart said after the hearing that he did not know the reason behind the state's decision. He said earlier this year that state liquor officials cited the restaurant, which is in the Grand Venice Hotel, for serving customers alcoholic beverages from the hotel bar without a license.
Although the business has the word "pub" in its name, it was not legally allowed to serve alcohol.
