Kevin Spradlin
CUMBERLAND — Nearly two months after an overnight fire decimated his Frostburg business, the owner of Gianni’s Pizza is still paying the price.
Joe Crawford was asked to appear before the Allegany County liquor board Tuesday to address what appeared to be largely an administrative concern. Crawford is a liquor license holder for the pizza shop which, until May 26, was housed at 1 W. Main St.
Shortly afterward, friend and The Draft Zone owner Shane Strieby said Crawford could operate out of his location at 113 E. Main St. But Strieby’s own liquor license was assigned to that address, and liquor board members said two licenses cannot operate out of the same location. The issue was brought to the board’s attention by other Frostburg businesses.
“I take full responsibility,” Strieby said of allowing the issue to come about. “We didn’t know. For that, I apologize.”
Strieby had his liquor license on the table between himself, Crawford and the liquor board members. Someone mentioned needing Crawford’s license.
“It burned up in the fire,” board chairman Gerald Delaney said.
Crawford said his efforts to recover from the fire have been hampered by an inability to enter the damaged building. What equipment might have been salvageable has been exposed to water and other elements for two months. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office have not yet identified the cause of the fire.
Strieby said he was trying to sell his liquor license and thought Crawford could simply work out of his establishment under his own license. Board members said that could be a conflict.
Instead, they suggested Crawford could seek an address transfer to his license for $100 instead of transferring his to a trusted relative or friend for $400. Strieby could then seek an address transfer for another $100 to 115 E. Main St., which he also owns and operates as Adventure Sports bike shop and outfitters. The doorway between the two addresses already has been blocked off, Strieby said.
Even if those requests are approved — and board members indicated they would be — Crawford still would have to reapply for a pouring permit and go without selling beer from the tap for 30 days. Once those transfers are approved, Delaney said, The Draft Zone no longer would exist. Strieby would hold his liquor license only until it is sold.
In other business, board members approved the transfer of a liquor license from the former owner of the Peking House in Frostburg to Daniel Rhee, owner of Ginger’s Asian Restaurant in lower LaVale. Rhee is permitted to sell alcohol on Sundays after 1 p.m. but he said he currently does not have Sunday hours.
John Brode, president of The Frostburg Palace Theater Inc., requested the ability to sell beer at other-than-live performances. But Delaney said the law only permits theaters operating as nonprofits to serve during live performances.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Delaney said.
Brode finished for him, “It’s just we don’t fit the letter of that law.”
Delaney suggested Brode request a meeting with Sen. George Edwards and ask that lawmakers amend the law to allow his plan to move forward.
Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.
