Board approves Maryland Antique Center tea room for wine service and off‑sale bottles

The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary’s County approved a Class B restaurant beer/wine/liquor license for Dorothy Sparling’s Maryland Antique Center tea room, allowing on‑site wine service and off‑sale bottle sales.

Sparling told the board the tea room has operated at the location for about 11 years and the antique center building for roughly 15 years. She said the expanded license will allow the tea room to serve wine on site and to sell bottles–primarily wine–for off‑site consumption. “So we will be serving wine on‑site and selling wine off‑site in bottles,” Sparling said during her sworn testimony.

Sparling said she expects to employ three people initially and plans to take required training classes (TAMs) soon. She described plans to collaborate with the nearby winery and arts businesses to develop a local shopping and dining destination and to continue antiques and art offerings on the property.

A board member moved to approve the application as presented; another board member seconded. The motion carried with no recorded opposition.

The board noted Sparling must complete required certification and any outstanding permits as part of licensing follow‑up. Sparling said she expected to be ready within the timelines discussed with staff.