
|
POSTED July 23, 12:15 PM
KAGRO (Korean-American Grocers and Licensed Beverage Association of Maryland) is an organization that represents Korean owned mom-and-pop shops and liquor stores throughout Maryland. Many members own liquor stores in Baltimore. If you attend a liquor board hearing you will observe that KAGRO representatives are there in support of many of the most notorious liquor stores in Baltimore. KAGRO is a powerful group that vigorously defends its members. In the recent Linden Bar and Liquors case there were a few state level legislators who expressed displeasure over the liquor board's ruling to revoke the store's license. Below are the names of politicians that KAGRO has made political contributions to over the last few years. One name that sticks out is City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. She was in the news recently because she expressed concern about liquor establishments with BD7 licenses that allow taverns to sell take-out liquor seven days a week. Many of these "Taverns" have no seating for patrons and are in fact nothing but liquor stores. Linden Liquors and many establishments represented by KAGRO take advantage of this loophole to sell package goods on Sundays. It is hard to be taken seriously when you attack the practices of KAGRO members but at the same time take money from them.
The "Three Bears Slate" is made up of the family of Frank Conway Sr.
For more info: Check out The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City.
|
|
POSTED July 21, 2:02 PM
Life is not fair. A man is shot in the head in the middle of one of the most controversial liquor establishments in Baltimore on Saturday, but it is open again today. Richard Bittner, the lawyer for the store, threatened to file a law suit if the store was not allowed to open and generate revenue. The liquor board did not want it to open by they were forced to reinstate the liquor license. Stephan Fogleman, the head of the board, expects there to be another hearing in about ten days. He says the board's main legislative goals in the house of delegates/State Senate this coming year will be to gain powers to gain emergency powers. He feels there will be no abuse of discretion amongst the three board members since they are all experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds and are known throughout many communities. This is a sad day for Reservoir Hill. I have been meaning to compile a list of politicians who have received money from KAGRO (Korean-American Grocers and Licensed Beverage Association of Maryland). When the liquor board originally decided to close Linden Liquors there were many state level politicians who were very angry for some reason. KAGRO was also annoyed. I wonder if after this shooting they finally get it? |
|
POSTED July 20, 12:51 PM
I spoke to liquor commissioner Steve Fogleman today and he told me that Linden Bar and Liquors is closed! The liquor board used some emergency powers after the insane incident there last night. I assume there is a chance that it will reopen before the scheduled September 23rd appeal hearing. I will keep all of you updated. This email is floating around Reservoir Hill. It describes what apparently happened inside and outside of Linden Bar and Liquors. "Late last night, around 10:45 I'm figuring, someone was shot at point blank range in Linden Bar and Liquors / Linden Lounge. The suspect apparently fled up the 2000 block Jordan Alley and cut across Ducatel to 2200 block Linden. Guy was quite a sprinter and was carrying a gun from all reports. Police chasing him called out for him to stop, he shot one round at them and they shot one round back at him (shots at 10:51pm). Police were a ways back in their foot pursuit. He ditched his gun and disappeared from them around 2235 Linden. Police response was quite awesome at that point, scouring the streets and alleys. Eventually a state trooper bloodhound was brought in and the path led straight to a vacant on Brookfield. As of late last night they hadn't found the suspect. Also I had no report on the victim in the liquor store, except for police saying it was from close range, he wasn't moving, and appeared dead. Neither police or suspect look to have been hit when they exchanged fire. The assumption is now that the liquor store can finally just be padlocked for public health reasons." Channel 2 gave this description of last nights events. |
|
POSTED July 20, 7:46 AM
A few months ago I wrote about how the liquor board ordered Linden Bar and Liquors to close. It never closed because of legal maneuverings by its lawyer. There is supposed to be an appeal hearing on September 23rd. Well last night there was a shooting there and the corner of Linden and North Avenue was blocked off by crime tape. Police cars were all over. The liquor board was right. The place is a nuisance and it all could have been avoided if the liquor board's ruling would have been followed. Stephan Fogleman was right (again).
|
|
POSTED May 1, 5:27 PM
Linden Bar and Liquors remains open for now.The owner's lawyer tries to make it appear that the owner is a poor everyday store owner who will be in a horrible financial situation if he has to sell his liquor license. The truth is a lot different. The poor people of the area who have flocked to his store for the last few years have helped the owner live a lifestyle they could only dream of. In 2005 he paid over $800,000 for his almost 6000 square foot house in northern Baltimore County. If you can spend $800,000 on a house one would think you could invest a little money in a security guard for your drug infested liquor store. Since liquor and liquor laws seem to be in the news lately I thought I would bring up an idea of mine that I have tried to promote in the past. I believe the state should grant the right to sell 4AM liquor licenses to Baltimore. There are quite a few locations that are not near anything residential and thus later hours would not disturb the peace. Places like Sonar, Powerplant Live, the Bar formerly known as Hammerjacks, and others around that area could purchase this new license. Establishments in residential areas would not be eligible for these licenses. The money generated from these license sales and yearly renewal fees would go directly toward lowering our property taxes. Baltimore would have a unique feature that few other cities offer. This could increase potential convention revenue and definitely would increase liquor sales (and taxes generated from them). Hotel and cab revenue would also go up because of responsible people drinking too much to drive. The bottom line is Baltimore could be a lot more fun and it could help contribute to lowering our property taxes. |
|
POSTED April 29, 5:07 PM
Linden Bar and Liquors at the corner of North Avenue and Linden Avenue in Reservoir Hill has been a blight on the community for over 30 years. On April 17, 2008 after a two hour hearing the liquor board did not renew the license for this establishment. The original license expires on April 30th so by May 1st the store should be shut down. Now at the last minute the owner is attempting to delay and reverse the boards decision. Here is an email I just received that will give you some insight in to what it takes to get rid of an establishment that is blatantly in violation of numerous liquor laws pertaining to public safety and illegal narcotics sales. Feel free to show up at the courthouse located at 111 N. Calvert Street:Hello All! Just a half hour ago I had a conference call with Judge Cannon, Russell Neverdon (the liquor board appellate counsel) and Richard Bittner (attorney for the licensee) and there will be an emergency hearing in front of Judge Nance (not sure if that is his correct spelling) tomorrow morning at 11:30 am in Room 556 in the Circuit Court East Building to decide whether or not a stay should be granted to the licensee. If granted, he would be permitted to remain open while he appeals the liquor board’s decision. It is important that we show up and defend our position which is that we want this establishment closed as of May 1 per the Board’s decision. If you can, please attend the hearing.
|
|
POSTED April 21, 2:47 PM
I am just going to jump right in to things. In Baltimore we have a government that says it is for safe streets and against nuisances. For the last few weeks many dedicated people living in Reservoir Hill have spent a lot of time trying to get the liquor license removed from an establishment that has haunted the area for thirty years. Back in September this establishment was covered with political signs for every major candidate for Mayor and candidates for others positions. By allowing your name to be placed on something you are giving it your endorsement. Ever wonder why we can't seem to get rid of nuisance establishments? Check one out around Baltimore City election season and you will see why.There has been a lot of talk about change lately in the national media. In the Baltimore political system change is something that will only be attained when we stop electing members of the ruling junta that got us in to this situation long ago. There I said it. This blog is not going to be a pretty promo for Baltimore. I am not going to clean things up to make it seem like life is dandy here. I will name names. The time has finally come. |

|
Sports
Business |
Real Estate Family Movies and Books Venues, Sports and Music Concerts, Artists and Tickets Be Inspired - Quotes and Stories |