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ABS reports lower post‑COVID sales, new retail programs and budget pressures; committee asks for deeper follow‑up
Summary
Alcohol Beverage Services reported lower post‑pandemic sales, one‑time system and insurance expenses, expanded local‑product programming and new retail formats, and the committee requested detailed follow‑up and budget mitigation plans.
The county’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) presented sales and expenditure trends, retail initiatives and operational challenges to the Economic Development Committee, which asked ABS to return with more detailed store‑level plans and budget mitigation strategies during the FY26 budget process.
Kathy Durbin, ABS director, described recent retail investments—new store formats such as Oak Barrel and Vine, and upcoming replacements in Wheaton and White Oak—and programming to promote local manufacturers, including a “Tastemaker” trail and in‑store “Taste and Tell” events. Durbin said the department has grown a local product program from about $30,000 in its first year to approximately $3,000,000 in sales and that those local products can be held and distributed to support small hospitality businesses.
Durbin also discussed a recent armed robbery at the Wheaton store:…
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