Minnick's Sold to Seahorse Inn Owners

Minnick's, the Dundalk bar owned by state Del. Joseph J. "Sonny" Minnick, has been sold to the owners of the Seahorse Inn.

Lionel van Dommelen Jr., a former Seahorse Inn co-owner and father of current Seahorse Inn co-owner, Ali van Dommelen, confirmed the sale to Patch Thursday.

Lionel van Dommelen Jr. now serves as chief of code enforcement for Baltimore County.

The other current  co-owner – and now Minnick's co-owner as well – is Kenneth "Bo" Crizer, brother of Edward Crizer Jr., a member of the Baltimore County Board of Appeals. 

Lionel van Dommelen Jr. and Edward Crizer Jr. transferred ownership of the Seahorse Inn to their daughter and brother, respectively, in Febuary, just before van Dommelen was named code enforcement chief, according the Baltimore County Liquor Board's website.

Sonny Minnick's wife, Barbara Jean Minnick, is listed as co-owner of the longtime bar along with Daniel Minnick, the delegate's brother.

Mike Mohler, chief administrator for the Baltimore County Liquor Board, said his office has not yet received an application for transfer of the Minnick's bar liquor license.

"There's been no application for transfer that I've seen," Mohler said "At some point, that would have to happen. But it doesn't mean an agreement hasn't been reached in principle."

In July, the bar was raided by Baltimore County police after allegedly operating illegal slot machines. The state delegate was not charged as part of the raid. Daniel Minnick, whose name is listed on the permit application for a "coin operated amusement device license application," was one of the four , according to Baltimore County police.

Lionel van Dommelen Jr. said that his daughter and Kenneth "Bo" Crizer plan to reopen Minnick's as an Irish-themed bar and restaurant.