LA PLATA, Md. — Three Charles County restaurants received emergency 20-day liquor license extensions during a Board of License Commissioners emergency hearing held Friday, May 2, 2025. Due to unique administrative or corporate challenges, each business failed to submit renewal paperwork by the April 30 deadline.
The Hooters restaurant in Waldorf was nearly shut down this spring as part of a nationwide corporate restructuring and bankruptcy process, but a last-minute change in ownership plans saved the location from permanent closure.
During a Charles County Board of License Commissioners emergency hearing, representatives explained that the Waldorf Hooters had initially been excluded from a buyers group list, meaning the restaurant was expected to close by the end of April. As a result, the business missed its liquor license renewal deadline.
However, on or around April 10, the location was added back to the buyers list, giving it a path to remain open. The company then rushed to file a late renewal application with the county.
The attorney representing Hooters, Leanne M. Schrecengost, told the board that the situation was due to corporate restructuring and was not the fault of the store, managers or employees.
The board approved a 20-day retroactive extension of the expired liquor license and a conditional renewal for the 2025–26 license year, contingent upon confirmation that no regulatory holds are pending against the business.
Board Chair Kathleen Quade requested follow-up documentation from Hooters’ corporate counsel to verify that the Waldorf location had been slated for closure in order to support the legitimacy of the late license renewal filing.
Two More Restaurants Receive Extensions
The board also approved 20-day license extensions for two other businesses facing administrative delays:
Karibbean Fire, located at 13 Shining Willow Way in La Plata, saw its license expire on April 30, 2025. Owner Nicky Strickland testified that the renewal was delayed because the business’s landlord did not provide the necessary paperwork in time to complete the application.
The Charles, a restaurant and bar located at 417 E Charles St. in La Plata, was granted the same 20-day extension.
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This location seems to be permanently closed.