Worcester County licensing board members on the record approved a new Class B beer, wine and liquor license for Midtown Roadhouse (Samaj Hospitality Group Inc.) at 7805 Coastal Highway Unit 2 in Ocean City, imposed penalties on Plaza Tapatio after a sale-to-minor finding, and issued a letter of reprimand to Cantina Los Agaves following a separate sale-to-minor investigation.

The board approved the Midtown Roadhouse application after staff recommended approval. The license will be issued in service of closing hours up to 2 a.m., with explicit operational restrictions read into the record: live amplified entertainment allowed inside up to four performers, four nights per week from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; live, non-amplified outdoor entertainment limited to one performer, four nights per week from noon to 9 p.m.; an outside bar is allowed on the first-floor deck; two ceiling-mounted speakers on the first and second-floor decks are permitted for background music only; and staff said no disc jockey, no off-sale, no pool tables and other listed restrictions would apply. The applicant testified about a seasonal staffing plan (about 8–10 employees initially, expanding in peak season) and said a certified manager would be on duty at all times.

In a separate hearing the board found that Plaza Tapatio (11007 Manklin Creek Road, Suite 9, Berlin) had sold alcohol to a minor during a compliance check. Law-enforcement witnesses told the board officers encountered a cooperative staff; the board reviewed the licensee's history of prior violations for the Berlin location and other jurisdictional records. Citing the record and prior incidents, the board ordered a 30-day suspension of the liquor license beginning at 5:00 a.m. on the day of the decision and assessed a $4,000 fine. Board members specified the licensee must lock up alcoholic beverages so they are not visible during the suspension. The board required the fine to be paid in certified funds by the Friday following the decision at noon.

At a third hearing, Cantina Los Agaves Mexican Grill (license no. 862, 127220 Ocean Gateway Unit 7) appeared on a sale-to-minor investigation. The board heard testimony from the licensee's management about staff turnover, corrective steps taken after the incident (including retraining and purchase of an electronic ID scanner) and cooperation with police. Law-enforcement witnesses described the licensee's staff as polite and cooperative during the compliance check. The board moved for and approved a letter of reprimand in lieu of a larger fine or suspension, and members emphasized that the licensee must maintain compliance measures (certified servers on premises, ID checks and the new scanner) going forward.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 18): motion made and seconded; approved (vote tally not specified in the transcript).
- Midtown Roadhouse (Samaj Hospitality Group Inc.), Class B beer, wine and liquor license for 7805 Coastal Highway Unit 2 (Ocean City): staff recommended approval; motion seconded and approved. Restrictions read on the record as summarized above.
- Plaza Tapatio (11007 Manklin Creek Road, Suite 9, Berlin): board found a sale to a minor; ordered a 30-day suspension beginning at 5:00 a.m. the day of the decision and a $4,000 fine payable in certified funds by Friday at noon; motion seconded and approved.
- Cantina Los Agaves Mexican Grill (license no. 862, 127220 Ocean Gateway Unit 7): following a sale-to-minor investigation the board issued a letter of reprimand; motion seconded and approved.

Board members and staff who moved or seconded motions were identified on the record but the transcript did not record formal roll-call tallies for these motions. The transcript shows motions were made, seconded and adopted for each listed action.