Caroline County license board approves temporary alcohol permit, adopts 90-day conditional-approval rule

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on April 23 approved several routine and administrative items including a temporary license for an alcohol-serving community event, a change to the board's rules extending the time for conditional license approvals, a written penalty decision for Preston Roadhouse, and a certificate to allow Bargain Beverage's business to continue under an acting license holder.

Downtown Denton Main Street sought a temporary license for its Supper at Sunset event on May 30 on the 200 block of Market Street. Jessica, identified as the director of Downtown Denton Main Street, told the board the event will be 21 and over, run as a cash bar and will sell beer, wine and liquor; she said Red Lake Liquors will supply alcohol and that the event area will be cordoned and use tents over food and bar areas. The board moved and seconded approval and voted to grant the temporary license.

The board adopted an amendment to its rules (amendment number 2025-1) that revises Rule 2.21 on conditional license approvals. Under the new language, conditional approvals for transfers or new licenses will be valid for 90 days instead of 30 days from the hearing date, unless the board sets a different deadline when granting conditional approval. Applicants may apply once for an extension no later than 14 days before expiration; an extension may run only until the end of the current license year (ending April 30). The board cited its authority under section 15-207 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and set the amendment effective May 1; members moved, seconded and approved the change.

The board also executed a written decision from a prior hearing finding Preston Roadhouse in violation of section 6-313 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article and Caroline County rule 2.2. The decision records a $1,000 fine plus a $50 administrative cost; the board's clerk told the board the licensee has until May 23 to pay.

Separately, the board signed a certificate of permission allowing Bargain Beverage to continue operating while the estate and corporate paperwork are resolved after the death of previous license holder Mister Hastings. The board noted Rodney Dault and store manager Linda Stutzman plan to seek transfer of the license once the company's paperwork is completed; the renewal has been issued with Mister Downs as acting license holder and the board gave the business up to 18 months to make required changes.

In reports the board administrator listed several upcoming licensed events across the county and said a majority of renewal licenses have been picked up, with 13 still outstanding. Inspector Trey reported routine inspections and compliance checks and described a recent encounter involving Amish patrons and ID checks that he said was a learning experience for staff at a north-county business.

Motions for the items above were moved and seconded and recorded in the board's minutes as approved; the clerk will distribute signed documents and notices as appropriate.