Board grants Nazareth convenience-store license with 90-day conditions after contested hearing

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners approved on July 23 a new Class A beer-and-wine off-premise alcoholic beverage license for 501 Maryland Avenue LLC, trading as Nazareth, but attached a time-limited condition and clear limits on the licensed premises.

The board’s approval limited the license to the store’s first-floor retail area and explicitly excluded the second-floor storage and an adjacent repair-shop area. Commissioners required the applicant to correct outstanding items listed in the staff report — including final occupancy approval from the town, fire marshal sign-off, health department food and beverage permits (for prepared foods), proof of workers’ compensation insurance, sales-and-use tax registration, and alcohol-awareness (TIP) certifications — within 90 days of the approval.

Why it matters: The decision permits a new retail seller of packaged beer and light wine to operate in Federalsburg (Bloomingdale Avenue), addressing local demand cited by the applicant while imposing controls designed to limit on-site consumption and ensure public safety.

What the board heard

Applicant testimony: Mohammed Faizon Ullah (applicant) and Mohammed Arafullah (owner/operator with prior local convenience-store experience) described the business as a convenience store with fuel sales and takeout/prepared foods. They told the board the business model reflects 25 years of family experience serving customers who commonly requested beer and light wine at the previous location across the street.

Attorney statement: Counsel for the applicant said the board previously granted approval in September 2024 but that the project was delayed while the applicant completed building renovations and sought town and inspector approvals. He summarized the applicant’s experience and said criminal-background checks were clean.

Opposition: Hitesh Patel, operator of Wet Your Whistle across Bloomingdale Avenue, testified he opposed an additional nearby license, saying prior investments and recent declines in several retail revenue streams (gasoline, cigarette and liquor sales) left him concerned that a new, closely located retail license would hurt his business.

Board findings and conditions

- The board determined the applicant met the statutory fitness checks: background checks were clear, the applicant is a Maryland resident and at least 21, and LLC paperwork was on file pending final legal sufficiency.

- The board corrected a clerical discrepancy on the application form: the record now shows the applicant sought beer-and-wine retail (Class A beer and light wine), not a full beer, wine and liquor license; the board limited approval accordingly.

- The board explicitly limited the approved licensed premises to the store’s first-floor retail area. It excluded the repair-shop area, any second-floor storage/occupancy space and any outside premise area where on-site consumption would be possible. The license is an off-premise retail license (sales to be taken away and consumed elsewhere).

- The board approved the license on condition that all outstanding items in the staff report be completed within 90 days (fire marshal and town occupancy permit, health department approvals for food service where applicable, TIP certificates, workers’ compensation insurance, sales-and-use tax registration and any required Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau registration). If applicants cannot complete those items within 90 days, they must return to the board to request an extension.

Direct quotes

"Yes, sir. Everything's correct," applicant Mohammed Faizon Ullah said when asked whether the application information remained accurate.

"The wristband is to verify... that they're ID'd over 21," Tracy Snyder told the board earlier in the meeting describing wristband controls for a different event.

"If they have the same license, I'm gonna be drop down my business," Hitesh Patel said of the potential impact of a nearby retail license.

Votes and outcome

A motion to approve the new Class A beer-and-wine 7-day off-premise license (limited to the first-floor retail area and excluding the repair-shop area, second floor and any outside premise) carried by voice vote. The board set a 90-day administrative window to satisfy staff-report items; unresolved items require a return to the board.

Ending

The board’s approval permits Nazareth to sell packaged beer and light wine from its new Bloomingdale Avenue convenience store once the outstanding inspections and registrations are completed and recorded with the board. The board also recorded community objections from a nearby license-holder and limited the license area to reduce the risk of on-site consumption.