Hollywood Shakers bar on Mervill Dean Road. Photo by Ron Bailey

Leonardtown, MD –– For the third time this year the Hollywood Shakers bar was on the agenda of the St. Mary’s County Alcohol Beverage Board (liquor board) for a violation. And for the third straight time the board imposed heavy penalties. At its July 13 meeting the board imposed a 30-day suspension and a total of $3,000 in fines after the owners admitted to two violations May 28 at the bar on Mervill Dean Road in Hollywood.

Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator Cpl. James Stone charged the bar with “Disturbance of the Neighborhood” after a complaint from a resident about loud music from the bar. When the deputy was called to investigate he observed a patron leaving the bar on the parking lot with an open container of alcohol.

In April the board suspended the bar’s license for two weeks after Stone witnessed a woman drinking on the bar’s parking lot. The month before, the board imposed a $1,250 fine for three violations that stemmed for a fight at the bar just before Christmas last year.

Speaking for himself and his partner Sean Earley, Donny Dunbar admitted those two May 28 violations. Regarding the string of offenses Dunbar said, “We sound horrible and I guess in your eyes we are.” Dunbar argued that the bar had attempted to take steps to correct the problems. In admitting failure Dunbar said he and his partner had just agreed to voluntarily close until they could get their act together.

“We will not reopen until we are satisfied that everything is done properly,” he said. The board’s 30-day suspension validated that decision.

New Board Chairman Ted Belleavoine voted against the suspension and the fines. He later told Dunbar that he would have favored something stiffer. Dunbar responded, “We apologize for any inconvenience we have caused.”

Before hearing the Hollywood Shakers case, the board imposed a $750 fine on California Wine and Spirits after owner Bipinchandra Patel admitted that a clerk had sold a beer to a 17-year-old police operative May 17

The board also approved four applications for businesses in Leonardtown:

• The move of Kevin’s Korner Kafe from Park Avenue in downtown Leonardtown to the former Willows restaurant location on Route 5. Owner Kevin Thompson said it would provide more seating and parking for his popular restaurant. He hopes to open by September.

• The closed Café des Artistes on the town square will reopen under the management of chef Brian Wilson of Virginia. The new name will be La Rive Breton.  Wilson said he would retain the same atmosphere and French/European cuisine.

• Approved a new on-sale license for a cigar store and lounge in Leonardtown Centre. Called Leonardtown Cigars, it will be operated by Jeffrey Lustig and Jacki Wobser.

• Approved a new restaurant license for Urban Bar–B-Que to be located on Washington Street in the former Bell Motor used car salesroom now under renovation. Franchisee Jessica Western hopes to be open by November.

Before the meeting board members and staff honored former chairman Moses Saldana, who lead the agency for eight years. “For me it has been a rewarding experience,” Saldana said.

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com