Caroline County licensing board approves temporary permits and premise expansions, fines two retailers

Denton, May 28, 2025 — The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on Wednesday approved multiple temporary and temporary-extension requests, signed off on a delivery extension for one retailer and imposed penalties on two licensees after underage-sale violations.

The board approved a one-day liquor license for Adkins Arboretum to serve beer and wine at four events this season, granted an outside-premises extension for Caroline's in Denton subject to an updated site plan, and conditionally approved an extension for Marcus Street Pub tied to the town administrator's signature. The board also approved a delivery-extension request for Red Light Liquors and finalized written decisions and fines on other administrative items. In separate show-cause proceedings the board found Star Gas and Diesel and Walker's Grocery in violation for selling alcohol to a person under 21 and assessed monetary penalties.

The Adkins Arboretum application was presented by Abigail Lorenz, who described four events for which the organization requested one-day licenses: Forest Music (June 12), Summer Solstice Social (June 20), a Beer Garden (Sept. 27, with a rain date the following day) and Plein Air (Nov. 1). Lorenz said the Arboretum would “be serving beer and wine close to the visitor center” and that service would be limited to the designated bar areas; attendees would not carry alcohol into the woodland performance locations. The board moved and approved the four one-day licenses.

Robin Zeller, license holder for Caroline's in Denton, sought board approval to expand the licensed area to include side-bar patios and a basement storage area. The board discussed concerns about a back parking area that could allow patrons to leave the licensed boundary with alcoholic beverages. Commissioners approved the extension on the condition that Caroline's submit an updated site plan that removes the back parking area from the licensed footprint and shows roughly 5 feet of clearance off the back of the sidebar area; that updated drawing must be filed with the board and made part of the record.

Marcus Street Pub owner Brian Tyler and Downtown Denton Main Street representative Dallas Lister presented a plan to extend Marcus Street Pub's licensed area into the 200 block of Market Street for the town's Third Thursday events on June 19, July 17, Aug. 14 and Sept. 18. The board noted that the Denton Police Department had already signed the town application and granted conditional approval pending the town administrator's final signature, to be provided at least one week before the first event.

On administrative items the board signed the written decision on last month's show-cause for Bullock's Deli and approved Red Light Liquors' request to continue same-year liquor deliveries under previously established conditions. The board clarified that deliveries are limited to Caroline County and must be logged; the approved delivery window is 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. as stated in the Red Light request.

Two compliance checks led to formal sanctions. In a show-cause hearing after an underage compliance operation, Star Gas and Diesel was found to have sold beer to a 20-year-old test buyer; the board voted to find the licensee in violation and imposed a $1,000 fine plus a $50 administrative fee. In a separate case Walker's Grocery was found guilty of a second underage-sale violation; after deliberation the board imposed the maximum statutory fine of $2,500 plus a $50 administrative fee. Board members said they were not seeking suspension or revocation in those cases but emphasized the seriousness of selling to minors and the need for licensees to maintain robust ID-check procedures.

Votes at a glance - Adkins Arboretum, temporary one-day liquor licenses for four events (June 12; June 20; Sept. 27 with rain date; Nov. 1): Approved (motion moved and seconded; voice vote: ayes recorded). - Caroline's (Denton), extension of premises to include side bar/patio and basement storage: Approved, contingent on filing an updated site plan removing the back parking area from the licensed footprint and showing ~5 feet clearance off the back of the sidebar area. - Marcus Street Pub (Market Street), temporary outdoor extension for Third Thursday events (June 19; July 17; Aug. 14; Sept. 18): Conditionally approved pending town administrator signature at least one week before first event. - Red Light Liquors, continued approval for liquor delivery under prior conditions (delivery log required; deliveries limited to county): Approved; delivery hours clarified as 9 a.m.–11 p.m. - Bullock's Deli: Written show-cause decision executed and filed. - Star Gas and Diesel: Found in violation for selling to underage purchaser; $1,000 fine plus $50 administrative fee imposed. - Walker's Grocery: Found in violation for selling to underage purchaser (second offense); $2,500 fine plus $50 administrative fee imposed.

Why it matters: The board’s decisions set local enforcement and operational expectations for beverage alcohol sales and outdoor licensed activity in Caroline County for the coming season. The conditional approval of Marcus Street Pub’s downtown expansion is meant to support long-running community events while preserving enforceable geographic limits; the sanctions reiterate the board’s enforcement priorities regarding ID checks and underage sales.

Meeting context and next steps: Staff will circulate the required updated site plan template to Caroline's and notify Marcus Street Pub and the town of Denton that town-administrator sign-off is required. Fines will be invoiced with standard administrative fees. The board took no action on the new Brunix Bait and Tackle license application at this meeting other than to hear a full hearing and public comment (separately reported).