Liquor License Returned To Tidewater Grille

BEL AIR, MD — The Tidewater Grille has its liquor license back. The Harford County Liquor Control Board voted unanimously to restore the restaurant's license following an appearance by its owner and attorneys before the board on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

An inspector went into the business and removed the license from the wall of the restaurant on Franklin Street the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 20, according to M. Pilar Gracia, administrator for the liquor board.

Havre de Grace Police Chief Teresa Walter had informed her that the police department was conducting an ongoing drug investigation and officers were at the premises about to "'seize the building'" as a matter of public safety, Gracia said at the liquor board's Dec. 5 meeting.

Gracia said that she could not disclose much as far as details of the police investigation, as it was ongoing, but she stated that there had been a drug transaction over the bar from an employee to an undercover officer. Police asked the liquor board to send an inspector to the scene to remove the liquor license, she said. The inspector came into the restaurant and removed the license.

That was a violation of due process, since the liquor board is required to hold a hearing to show the business was in violation of its liquor license, Tidewater Grille's attorney Tyler Nowicki said at the liquor board meeting in Bel Air on Dec. 5.

He said that the liquor licensee was not charged with any crime and had terminated three employees related to the allegations of drug activity, which he said involved marijuana.

Liquor board chair C. John Sullivan Jr. said he would like to restore the license, effective immediately, a motion that passed unanimously.

This is breaking news and will be updated.

RELATED: Tidewater Grille Liquor License Taken During Drug Probe

Image via Google street view.