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Cork & Bottle transfer approved; new LLC and licensee to take over longstanding Mount Airy store
Summary
The board approved transfer of Cork & Bottle’s Class A license to a new LLC; James Goss will appear on the license while majority owner Druva Patel will operate the store, pending standard filings.
The Carroll County Board of License Commissioners approved the transfer of the Class A (off‑sale) liquor license for Cork & Bottle at 4305 Ridge Road in Mount Airy to Cork & Bottle LLC, with James Goss designated as licensee on the record.
Applicant testimony clarified that the transaction is a transfer of the existing business into a new LLC (bulk transfer of product and assets) rather than a relocation. James Goss testified he will be the named licensee (holding 1% of the LLC) and that majority partner Druva (Dhruva) Patel (99%) will manage operations. Goss said he will be onsite frequently to oversee operations; Patel said she will manage daily operations and that all employees will be trained and card customers for ID checks.
The current licensee, Chun Wu Lee, confirmed the sale and signed the proposed asset‑purchase agreement in the record. Commissioners discussed one prior compliance incident at a different store Patel operates (City Spirits) in 2024, but noted the applicant described changes to training and point‑of‑sale prompts to improve ID checks. After character witnesses spoke in support, the board moved and approved the transfer by voice vote.
The board reminded the new licensee and majority owner that licensee responsibilities include criminal consequences for serving underage patrons and that staff training and compliance will be inspected over time.
