Howard County board approves 1st Watch resident-agent change

The Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board on Sept. 29 approved a change of resident agent on a Class B beer, wine and liquor 7-day on- and off-sale license for 1st Watch Restaurants at 6478 Dobbin Centerway.

Attorney Lee Ann Schreckengost introduced Emily Klunk (recorded as Emily Clank) as the proposed resident agent; Klunk testified she is the restaurant’s general manager and that she "oversee[s] all operations and runnings of that restaurant." She told the panel she spends about 50 hours a week at the site and understands the board will hold the resident agent responsible for on-site compliance.

Board members asked about the restaurant’s compliance history and were told there have been no violations since the license was issued a little more than a year ago. After brief deliberation the board moved to approve the change; the applicant waived the right to an appeal on the record.

The approval is a ministerial change: commissioners said the prior agent moved out of the area and the new agent’s on-site presence and training were reassuring. The board did not attach additional conditions beyond standard licensing requirements.