College Town Bar Faces Loss Of Liquor License In Prince George's

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Effective Friday, Cornerstone Grill and Loft in College Park cannot serve alcohol for 90 days after the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners suspended its liquor license.

The establishment, which opened in 1997, also must pay a $7,500 fine along with the suspension, the board ruled.

The board originally suspended Cornerstone Grill and Loft's license after finding the establishment had presented a “threat to the peace and safety,” based on video evidence and testimony from four University of Maryland police officers, reports say.

The board has the authority to suspend a liquor license for “the commission of any act by the licensee, his/her agents or employees that constitutes a danger to the peace and safety of the neighborhood,” according to county regulations. The county board first addressed the situation at meetings held Sept. 9 and Oct. 14, county documents show.

However, Cornerstone's attorney asked the board to temporarily halt the suspension for 90 days, which would allow the establishment's legal team to appeal the charges and file a petition for a judicial review.

Meanwhile, Cornerstone Grill and Loft stated on social media Tuesday afternoon that "We want to be clear: Cornerstone is not permanently closing, and we are actively pursuing all available legal options to challenge this decision."

The establishment stated its legal team is reviewing the situation and "working through the appropriate processes."

"...we remain committed to protecting our business, our employees and the community that has supported us since 1997."

The board met Tuesday and voted to deny the bar's request for a 90-day stay of execution while pursuing judicial review. Commissioner Tammie Norman noted the board's "fiduciary responsibility to the community" in the denial motion.

Cornerstone owner Mark Srour and general manager Brian Lambert addressed the College Park City Council last week, seeking support for reducing the suspension against the establishment. Lambert, who has served as general manager since 2007, expressed concerns about the potential impact on the restaurant’s approximately 70 employees that the liquor license suspension could cause.

Furthermore, the restaurant expressed uncertainty on social media about upcoming events, private reservations and scheduled entertainment.

"We recognize the financial commitments and planning involved, and we take those obligations seriously," bar management stated on social media. "We are actively evaluating how the current situation may affect these events and are working to obtain the clarity necessary to communicate accurate information to everyone involved."

Students expressed concern about the liquor license suspension taking effect the day before Halloween.

"It's the cornerstone of College Park, it's literally in the name," University of Maryland student Kara Mitchell told Fox 5 DC. "It is the most important bar and closing for Hallo-weekend? It's not gonna be open on Halloween? Where are people going to go? This is putting college students out on the streets. We're not gonna have anywhere to go. It really is a loss for the community."

Cornerstone opened in 1997 when brothers Greg and Mark Srour transformed the former Rendezvous Inn, commonly known as The ‘Vous, into Cornerstone Grill and Loft. The original establishment - Rendezvous Inn - was opened in 1962 by their father, Sam Srour, and a business partner, reports show.