COLLEGE PARK, Md. (7News) — A popular bar near the University of Maryland is preparing for a 90-day liquor license suspension beginning Friday, Oct. 30, after Prince George’s County officials rejected its request to delay the penalty.
Cornerstone Grill & Loft also faces a $7,500 fine following a county board’s findings that the establishment posed a threat to the peace and safety of the neighborhood. The decision comes just before Halloween weekend and could affect the business through the holiday season.
The suspension follows an investigation into repeated alcohol-related incidents, including reports involving underage drinking, overserving and medical emergencies.
Cornerstone’s management addressed the suspension in a statement posted to social media Tuesday, emphasizing that the business does not intend to close permanently.
“We want to be clear: Cornerstone is not permanently closing, and we are actively pursuing all available legal options to challenge this decision,” the restaurant stated.
The business also expressed disagreement with aspects of the proceedings while saying it intends to address those concerns through the legal process.
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“The safety and well-being of our guests and employees have always been priorities at Cornerstone. We take our responsibilities as a licensed establishment seriously and remain committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment,” the restaurant wrote.
“While we respectfully disagree with aspects of the proceedings and the resulting decision, we believe the appropriate place to address those disagreements is through the legal process.”
The owners have also said they remain committed to supporting their employees as they assess the impact of the suspension.
At a recent College Park City Council meeting, Cornerstone owner Mark Srour and general manager Brian Lambert asked city leaders for support in reducing the suspension.
Lambert acknowledged that the county had other factors to consider but urged officials to weigh the impact on employees and students.
“I understand that there are other things that come into factors, but the impact on our students, our employees, will be I feel disadvantageous to them,” Lambert said.
The council meeting came as Cornerstone continued to challenge the county’s decision. The owners have said they are pursuing available legal options and evaluating how the suspension could affect scheduled events and reservations.
Cornerstone previously warned College Park city leaders that a 90-day shutdown could force the business to let go of all 70 employees.
The timing adds to the challenge. The suspension begins immediately before Halloween and would extend through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The business has said it is evaluating scheduled events and consulting with its legal team as it considers its next steps.
The Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners based its decision on video evidence and testimony from four University of Maryland police officers, according to reporting on the proceedings.
Records from a September hearing detail an investigation covering January 2024 through February 2026. The investigation documented 37 incidents, including reports of disorderly conduct associated with intoxication, underage patrons and ambulance transports.
The records also describe allegations involving overserving, sales to underage customers, fraudulent identification and operating beyond the establishment’s approved capacity.
The bar’s attorney challenged aspects of the allegations and outlined corrective measures, including electronic ID scanning, expanded alcohol-awareness training and additional security staff.
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the board unanimously rejected Cornerstone’s request to pause the suspension. The request would have delayed enforcement while the business pursued legal remedies; it would not have overturned the underlying decision.
Cornerstone has operated under its current name since 1997, when brothers Greg and Mark Srour transformed the former Rendezvous Inn, known to longtime patrons as “The Vous,” into the sports bar and restaurant.
The establishment’s history dates back to 1962, when the brothers’ father, Sam Srour, and a business partner opened the original venue.
The business has faced liquor enforcement before. In March 2025, the county board found Cornerstone in violation of rules involving underage alcohol sales and alcohol-awareness requirements and imposed a $1,500 fine.
For now, the 90-day suspension and $7,500 fine remain in place. Cornerstone says it is pursuing legal options to challenge the latest decision and stresses that it is not permanently closing.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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