Howard County nonprofit, bar strike liquor license deal

Howard County (Map, News) - A mistake by a Columbia sports bar could be a boon for the Ulman Cancer Fund.

In a highly unusual case, The Greene Turtle, which failed to renew its permanent liquor license, can stay open this month, thanks to two temporary licenses granted to the nonprofit, started by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman’s brother.

The business can serve alcohol, while the nonprofit reaps the proceeds from the alcohol sales.

“I think it turned out to be a really nice solution that acknowledges everyone’s concerns,” said Thomas Meachum, attorney for The Greene Turtle in Columbia.

The owner at The Greene Turtle hit a snag renewing the liquor license recently when the local resident on the licenses — needed to obtain a license — moved to Arizona, Meachum said.

Facing about two weeks without a license while they reapplied for a renewal, they came up with a solution. The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, a nonprofit in Columbia, could obtain a temporary license.

The nonprofit has worked with The Greene Turtle for several years, and The Greene Turtle previously hosted a fundraiser for the Ulman Cancer Fund at the Towson location, said Jahantab Siddiqui, spokesman for the nonprofit.

The Howard Board of License Commissioners, known as the liquor board and made up of the County Council members, approved a seven-day temporary license for the Ulman Cancer Fund that went into effect May 1. A second two-day license could be approved for May 15 to 16 for the Ulman Cancer Fund, and another nonprofit is expected to apply for a third seven-day license.

One-day temporary licenses for nonprofits to hold an event aren’t unusual, but it is far less common to use the license for seven days, Meachum said.

The situation presented a complicated debate among the liquor board members, who quickly convened a meeting this week on the eve of the license expiration. The board didn’t want a temporary license to delay the bar’s request for a permanent one.

“As long as it’s still legal and made sense for everyone, then it was a win-win,” said Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, D-District 3.

Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1, agreed she wanted to see the restaurant stay open, but said, “I think the liquor board needs to revise its own procedures to make it clear on how these situations should be handled.”

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com

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