Pier House Restaurant On Cobb Island Ready To Open But Still Waiting On Final Permits

COBB ISLAND, Md. — For the fifth time, Pier House Restaurant owner Aaron Conrad McGovern appeared before the Charles County Board of License Commissioners seeking more time as ongoing health department approvals continue to delay the waterfront restaurant’s opening.

McGovern first appeared before the board Aug. 14, 2025, when he began the approval process to take over the former Captain Charles and Shymansky’s restaurant site and transform it into a year-round waterfront dining destination.

Board members expressed frustration with the repeated delays, noting the impact on both the business owner and the county’s economic activity.

Board member Michelle Jones said the situation reflects broader challenges businesses can face when navigating the approval process.

Despite a completed restaurant, hired staff and plans ready to move forward, the Pier House Restaurant on Cobb Island remains unable to open as final health approvals continue to delay the project.

Jones also noted the repeated appearances required by the applicant.

“It’s very frustrating, not only for you to keep coming back, but that we want to be open for business here in Charles County,” she said.

The Charles County Board of License Commissioners approved a 60-day extension March 12 to allow the restaurant, located at 16320 Cobb Island Road in Newburg, additional time to complete the permitting process before picking up its alcoholic beverage license.

McGovern told the board the restaurant itself is finished and ready to operate, but cannot move forward until the Charles County Health Department completes its review.

“I don’t want 60 days, but this is the process,” McGovern said. “The restaurant is ready to open.”

McGovern explained the delay centers on the final health department review of a roughly 148-page submission package required before final inspections can be scheduled.

He told the board he continues checking for updates daily while waiting for the review to be completed.

“I check every single morning, every single lunch, every single night. I check my spam folders in hopes of getting this done,” he said.

McGovern said part of the challenge has been uncertainty about the review process and how long it may take to complete.

“I just don’t know, and nobody gives me these answers. ” McGovern said.

He told the board he was unsure how long the review takes once submitted or whether requested changes could affect the timeline. McGovern also said he had been told there is only one reviewer handling submissions.

“We want to be open for businesses here in Charles County. We want the additional tax revenue and we have one person holding it up. And that’s very, very frustrating,” Jones said.

Once health approval is received, McGovern said he can immediately request final inspections from plumbing, electrical, mechanical and fire officials. After those are completed, he said about two weeks will be needed to properly train staff before opening.

He said timing is critical because employees have already been hired but cannot yet begin work.

The waterfront restaurant is expected to feature indoor and outdoor dining along with a tiki bar area that McGovern said has already received its certificate of occupancy. Once open, the restaurant is expected to accommodate several hundred guests.

McGovern told the board he hopes the remaining approvals will be completed soon.

“This journey has been way too long,” he said.

If approvals are completed in the coming weeks, McGovern said he hopes the restaurant could open by mid-April, bringing a new waterfront dining option to residents and visitors in the Cobb Island and Newburg communities.

The board approved the extension unanimously.

Follow Pier House Restaurant on Facebook for updates on the restaurant’s anticipated opening.

Watch the Charles County Board of License Commissioners meeting, March 12, 2026, here.

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