Thirsty Turtle closed last night after stabbing, repeated violations

The long line was no more yesterday at the Thirsty Turtle. (Photo: Samuel Corum)

Correction:

An earlier version of this story misidentified the man charged in relation to the stabbing. He is Leonardo Alonso Ramos. TBD apologizes for the error.

The collected advertisements for Turtle — from Facebook and the bar's website — are a blur of ALL CAPS WRITING and exhortations to release your inhibitions.

2 Comments

Long story short

The short, brilliant life of the Thirsty Turtle

retweet

Turtle is a "non-stop party extreme," according to one Web page. A Facebook event description:

THIRSTY TURTLE PRESENTS $1.00 WEDNESDAYS: ERASE YOUR MIND BASH. On Top Of Our Usual Menu Of $1 GOODIES We R Going to ERASE YOUR MIND With $1 MIND ERASERS!!! BOTH FLOORS WILL BE OPEN. THIS WILL BE PACKED.

What is Wanuck marketing here? Sex? Alcohol? No. He's marketing college.


 

Despite the bar’s last last call, the hearing on Wednesday night didn’t feel like a funeral. Wanuck, who wasn’t present, had already given up, and it was left to lawyer Carter to defend the bar’s honor. (Wanuck could keep the restaurant open, provided he doesn't serve alcohol.)

"Is it the board's correct understanding that your client relinquishes all rights to operate under this license now and in the future?" asked Franklin Jackson, who chairs the board of license commissioners.

"That's correct, Mr. Chairman," Carter replied.

"Is the board also correct in understanding that your client relinquishes all right to appeal the decision of the board of  last week?."

"That's right, Mr. Chairman."

Having admitted defeat, Carter asked that the hearing not go on. But Turtle wouldn't be spared a little more public shaming. Ryan, Mitchell, and a representative from Prince George's County police were all allowed to speak.

About 30 people packed into the hearing room in Hyattsville. Most were there to testify in favor of the bar losing its license. A host of University and Prince George’s County police officers were in attendance, as was a College Park city councilmember, a former mayor and even the do-gooders at the university’s Student Government Association.

Only one person besides Carter spoke in the bar’s defense. That person said Thirsty Turtle was more responsible than Terrapin Station, which occupied the same space and was closed down for similar reasons earlier in the decade.

And that points to the problem. From the Vous to Terrapin Station to Turtle, College Park always seems to develop a problem bar for students with problems. And even if there isn't one, the houses of Old Town provide plenty of off-campus drinking spots.

"Nobody's so naive to think that someone who drank in the Turtle last week is going to stop drinking," Ryan said. "Our hope would be that they go some place that's safer."

Who knows? Maybe the class of 2015 will find itself drinking at yet another bar at 7416 Baltimore Ave. Carter says Wanuck has 17 years left on his lease.

  1. «
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. »

2 Comments