Morris Martick sells 40-year-old liquor license on Baltimore City Paper classifieds
Morris Martick, the 88-year-old proprietor of Martick's Restaurant Francais, is selling the liquor license he's held for 40 years.
Not with a broker, but on the classifieds of Baltimore City Paper.
Martick, who first opened the downtown French restaurant in 1970, closed it in 2008. He's tried to lease it since then but no one has expressed interest.
In January, he asked the liquor board to extend his due-to-expire license for six extra months so he could find a new buyer.
He tried Craigslist but was unsuccessful. Two weeks ago, he decided to try a classifieds ad on the alternative weekly. The ad appears on the back page, past all the ads for massage parlors, above a picture announcing $900 luxury apartments.
It is unadorned and pithy, reading simply: "Martick's Liquor License - for sale," with a few more words on location and a contact number. No mention of the restaurant's history, or its off-kilter reputation.
After 40 years, Martick had enough. "I won't re-open it ever again. I'm too old."
Martick was born in the building where he later opened his restaurant. When he couldn't afford the city's requirements for exterior improvement, which he pegged at $30-40,000, he closed the restaurant.
"it's an institution," he said. "Or it was. But I'm 88. What's the use of working anyway."
"I was going to lose it, so I might as well sell it," Martick said. "It's very hard to get a new liquor license." He's held on to his for 40 years.
When asked got the asking price, he gave an answer that was classic Martick. "Gee, I don't know. That's a good question," he said. "I think it's worth around $20,000 to $25,000."
Stephan Fogleman, the chairman of the Liquor Board, said Martick is within his right to sell the license, but it must be transferred within the same Senatorial district. If the new owners choose to move the location of the license, it cannot be less than 300 feet from a church or school.
For interested buyers, Martick's personal number - 410-685-5192 - is listed on the ad.
But so far, Midnight Sun's is the only call the tired chef has received.
Photo: Martick's/Jed Kirschbaum, Baltimore Sun
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
We bought our bar (including the liquor license,) off of craig's list. Its not that uncommon.
Posted by: Peter | October 26, 2010 9:17 AM
That 300 feet from a church or a school is b.s. They tried to hit me with that when i bought my liquour license and i pointed out that the folks to the immediate left and right of me had ones. They granted me a license directly across from the Basilica after fighting Jimmy Rouse's racist opposition.
Posted by: Tif | October 26, 2010 10:40 AM
Tif-- What bar do you run/own? I am just curious since you are such a frequent commenter.
Posted by: Perkus Tooth | October 26, 2010 11:47 AM
I don't-- I sold my interest and got out about 10 years ago
Posted by: Tif | October 26, 2010 11:57 AM
@Tif-which bar was it? Is is still around from 10 years ago?
@Peter-which bar do you run/own?
Posted by: anonymous | October 26, 2010 3:30 PM
Gallery 409 it was more like an entertainment concert hall (Floetry, Raheem DeVaughn, etc.) It's now An Die Music
Posted by: Tif | October 26, 2010 4:58 PM
@Tif -- I had no idea. That's cool man. Did you make money off it? How long was it around?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | October 26, 2010 5:04 PM
I have no respect for anyone who accuses Jimmy Rouse of such lies. Shame on "Tif" for trying to defame Mr. Rouse.
Posted by: Adam Meister | October 26, 2010 9:11 PM
Can it, you grinning jackass.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 27, 2010 9:46 AM
@Sam about four years- too much money- my partners pushed me out and tried to run it themselves #fail
@Adam I hope your being sarcastic or as he said at our liquor board hearing "this is not a racial issue- look at all the things my family has done for you people"
Posted by: Tif | October 27, 2010 9:52 AM
I'm glad to see Mr. Martick is still around. I loved that restaurant and that mean old bastard. He was actually always nice to me even if he was very gruff.
Posted by: Dave | October 29, 2010 4:36 PM