Caroline County board approves new restaurant license, signs off on temporary events, and discusses third‑party delivery law

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on Oct. 16 approved a new restaurant liquor license, granted several temporary-event licenses (with conditions), continued one arts event application while the applicant secures an approved venue or site plan, and extended a pilot retail‑delivery authorization while discussing a new state law on third‑party delivery.

El Chupacabra license approved with conditions Staff read the public hearing notice and staff report for El Chupacabra LLC’s application for a Class B on‑premises (restaurant) beer, wine and liquor license at 5 N. 3rd Street in Denton. Staff listed outstanding items the board requires before final issuance — environmental health sign-off, occupancy permit, fire marshal approval, federal excise stamp and a complete background/criminal record check entry review. The applicant described a locked storage room with keypad access, server-only handling of alcohol, interior seating and proposed outdoor patio seating; staff and inspectors recommended obtaining town approval for sidewalk/patio seating. After discussion the board voted to approve the license subject to submission of the outstanding items and any town approvals for outdoor seating.

Temporary permits: library mini golf, purse bingo, and community fundraisers The board approved a temporary liquor permit for the Friends of the Caroline County Public Library for a library mini‑golf fundraiser to be held Nov. 9, with ID controls and indoor bar procedures described by the organizer. The Stanley Baseball Academy purse bingo fundraiser (Nov. 23) received conditional approval: the board required proof that the event bartender holds an alcohol-awareness certification (TIP/ServSafe or equivalent) before the event. A short fundraiser requested by Friends of Jeff Grice at the visitor center was also approved for Nov. 1.

Council of Arts event continued pending site plan or alternate venue The Caroline County Council of Arts asked to hold a ‘King Arthur and his knights’ literary fundraiser at a county country club. Staff advised that the country club has not completed site-plan approval required for a licensed event venue. The applicant said they could move the event to the county library or change dates; the board continued the application to the next meeting and instructed applicants to secure a definitive venue and any required signatures or site plans before final approval.

Delivery pilot extended; HB808 discussion A representative of Red Light Liquors reported results from a pilot retail-delivery and bartending service (bulk deliveries, invoicing, signature-stamped receipts). The board voted to continue the pilot and directed that renewal of delivery authority be requested in writing at time of annual license renewal. Staff briefed commissioners on HB808, the recently passed state law allowing local jurisdictions to permit third‑party delivery services. Commissioners discussed operational concerns — age verification, jurisdictional limits, required training for third‑party drivers and recordkeeping — and asked staff to circulate sample regulations and place the item on a future agenda so the board can decide whether to allow third‑party delivery and adopt a local permit process.

What’s next Staff said the board will include the HB808 discussion and related draft permit language on a future agenda, and will continue routine inspections and enforcement through the busy fall calendar. The next regular meeting was scheduled for Nov. 20.

The meeting adjourned at about 12:15 p.m.