The Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners fined Catherine’s, a Laurel restaurant, $1,500 on Nov. 10 after the board’s chief inspector told commissioners that the venue was over its posted capacity and that its licensee blocked firefighters from checking the fire alarm panel during an August call. The board also fined a Shady Side market and an Annapolis restaurant and approved a slate of license changes.
Catherine’s: Fire Alarm and Capacity
The chief inspector, citing his report and interviews with firefighters, said fire crews responded to a commercial fire alarm at Catherine’s around 1:20 a.m. on Aug. 23, 2026. He said the licensee, Donovan Vassel, waved the crew off in the roadway and told them the alarm was being tested. He said Vassel later said a patron had fallen into the alarm pull station.
According to the inspector, firefighters asked three times to inspect the alarm control panel and were turned away each time. He said Vassel and a security guard stepped between a fire lieutenant and the entrance door. The posted capacity was 131, he said, and firefighters stopped counting at 150 patrons leaving. He added that the venue could produce only limited camera footage.
Linda Carter, an attorney for the licensee, described the night as the restaurant’s first-anniversary celebration. She said a customer had a medical event and fell against the alarm, and that a friend who is an alarm technician reset it and misspoke about a test. She said the venue was probably over capacity but that it was not deliberate, and that it was a first violation.
Carter said Vassel has since installed covers over the alarms, replaced his camera system and offered to tie a system into the police department. The board fined Catherine’s $1,500 across four counts of $500, $500, $250 and $250. The counts included cooperation and unauthorized conduct.
Other Violations
A county police detective told the board that a 20-year-old confidential source bought a 12-pack of beer at Reno’s Market in Shady Side on May 21, 2026, without being asked for identification. The licensee’s attorney did not contest the violation and said the store added a point-of-sale ID check afterward. Because it was a second violation within 18 months, the board fined the market $1,000 on each of two counts.
An inspector said TGI Fridays in Annapolis held a live comedy show it was not licensed for after being warned in May. The board fined the restaurant $1,000 on each of two counts, for $2,000 total.
License Changes Approved
Commissioners approved a new license for a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse at Annapolis Town Center, a move from Eastport. Its attorney said the owners are aiming to open before Valentine’s Day in a restaurant of more than 200 seats.
The board also removed a dance-floor restriction and approved an ownership change at Papa’s Restaurant. It approved a change of majority officer at Eddie’s Grill, leaving Deborah Conway as the sole officer after a June order removing two others, and a general entertainment upgrade for karaoke at Nautical Lounge. Commissioners also approved a change of majority officer at Fifth Avenue Liquors and outdoor service for a First Watch restaurant.
A case involving Filon Cigar LLC was postponed. The board also passed a recusal policy.
What’s Next
The Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners holds regular public hearings, and the postponed Filon Cigar case will return at a later hearing.
