Liquor board denies Mac’s Seafood permit

Seabrook Acres Neighborhood Association members opposed license

Residents were pleased with the outcome, saying it was worth taking time out of their day to attend the contentious meeting that lasted nearly five hours.

After the discussion, the board voted 2-2 on the permit, which meant it was denied without the needed majority approval.

Mckingston Kwon, owner of Mac’s Seafood, said he applied for the permit because his customers said they would like to be able to have beer while eating there.

Kwon said he previously held a liquor license while working in Richmond in 1985. Kwon’s attorney, A. Stephen Conte, said when his client bought the Seabrook restaurant eight years ago, he allowed the liquor license to lapse because he did not have enough money to purchase it from the previous owner.

Yet residents expressed concern that Kwon had not yet taken an alcohol awareness class that the Board of License Commissioners encourages applicants to take. Chairman Franklin Jackson said arrangements could be made for Kwon to take classes that would accommodate his limited English proficiency.

Speaking in favor of the permit was Seabrook resident Charles Shryock, who owns Shryock Realty in Seabrook.

Shryock said diners simply wanted to be able to have a beer with their seafood — not take it with them into the community.

‘‘I would not be here in support of this if I thought there was a problem that was going to be created,” Shryock said.

County Councilman Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park said among his concerns with the permit were the crime in the area in and around the shopping center. Olson read a letter from the shopping center’s management company M. Leo Storch Management, which asked Olson and County Executive Jack Johnson to do something about a ‘‘string of illegal activities” at the shopping center.

Olson also said the community is concerned about quality of life issues and crimes ranging from noise violations and vandalism to shootings in the area.

‘‘I think there’s a clear indication that there are public safety concerns in this area,” Olson said.

When Chairman Franklin Jackson encouraged the applicant and residents to discuss their differences during the board’s recess, the two sides argued about the hours, staffing levels of the business and how the license would affect the community.

Several of the attendees said they had nothing against Kwon or his business, in fact many of them said they order food from there frequently, but said there were simply too many businesses selling alcohol in their area.

‘‘It’s not personal, we’re talking about the livelihood and safety of our community,” said SANA member Ronica Berryman.

Jackson also read from letters from State Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) of Bowie, Del. Justin D. Ross (D-Dist. 22) of Greenbelt, Del. James Hubbard (D-Dist. 23A) of Bowie, and Del. Gerron Levi (D-Dist. 23A) of Woodmore opposing the license.

The commission also received 13 letters in opposition to the license, Jackson said.

Kwon presented a petition of more than 70 customers requesting the license, though Jackson said more consideration is given to residents who take the time to attend the hearing.

SANA member Keith Bell said the residents were concerned that the staffing levels at the restaurant and Kwon’s limited use of English may lead to underage teenagers trying to purchase beer there.

Conte said his client had been in business there for eight years and was capable of handling the very limited sale of beer there.

Conte said many of the residents’ concerns were ‘‘hyperbole” and that Kwon’s business was not responsible for the community’s concerns.

‘‘I don’t think Mac’s Seafood is the nexus of all their problems,” Conte said.

Conte also said Kwon deserved to grow his business, just like any other proprietor.

‘‘He’s a law-abiding citizen. He’s a businessman,” Conte said.

Conte said after the hearing that Kwon might consider appealing the decision or re-applying at a future date.

He also said they may be able to meet with the residents and address their concerns.

Emily Hickey, one of the SANA members who spoke out, said it was worth the effort to help her community. Organizing the group of residents was key to opposing the permit, she said.

‘‘I think it was a great victory for SANA. It shows that we have more impact with a fist than with one finger,” Hickey said.

E-mail Megan King at mking@gazette.net.