An Abingdon restaurant that opened in May and last week was fined $6,000 and its liquor license suspended for 15 days for violations of Harford County liquor laws recently filed an appeal.
Board members announced the penalties after finding Pelican Cove, at 418 Constant Friendship Blvd., guilty of three violations because the resident licensee was not on the property the required amount of time. Board member Randall Worthington Sr. also suggested that the resident licensee at the time, Sharon Grist, was never intended to be involved with the business but was paid for her resident status.
Pelican Cove's attorney, Colleen Hemlinger, said Grist worked a flexible schedule, which accounted for their difficulty in keeping time records. The business was also found guilty of making a false statement to a representative of the board and failing to cooperate with a representative of the board on official business.
The business filed for an appeal and on Jan. 31 Circuit Court Judge William Carr issued a stay, according to electronic court records. The liquor board decision is on hold pending review of the petitioners' petition. The appeal was filed by Joseph F. Snee Jr.
The suspension was initially scheduled for Feb. 1 through 15, according to liquor board Administrator Kathryn M. Thess.
No hearing dates had been scheduled as of Monday afternoon.