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Howard County board approves Backwater Books’ request to expand licensed premises and add limited off‑sale
Summary
The Howard County Alcohol Board approved Backwater Books’ request to extend its Class D license to include the store’s first floor and to add limited off‑sale privileges; the applicants waived appeal and the board recorded a motion and vote in favor.
Backwater Books, an independent bookstore on Main Street in Ellicott City, won board approval Jan. 27 to expand its licensed premises and add limited off‑sale alcohol sales.
Attorney Christopher DiCarlo told the Howard County Alcohol Board that the applicants — Matthew Oliver Crist and his wife, Ally Crist — seek to change the existing Class D on‑sale license to an on‑ and off‑sale permit and to extend the licensed area to the store’s first floor. "It is a lovely independent community bookstore that is located in Downtown Ellicott City on Main Street," DiCarlo said in opening remarks, adding that no new bar or structural alterations are planned and that off‑sale items would be stored in a locked cabinet.
Matthew Crist, who was sworn and testified as an owner, described operations and safety procedures. "I own 50% of it, and my wife, Ally, owns 50% as well," Crist said, explaining the planned customer flow and that all alcohol sales would be rung up at the bar on the second floor. He estimated off‑sale items would represent well under 10% of alcohol sales and said food sales were about 16% last year but expected to meet the 20% threshold required by the license class.
Board members questioned staff supervision on the first floor, proximity to a children’s area and how the store would prevent patrons from leaving with open containers. Crist said owners and certified bartenders would monitor the first floor and that the off‑sale cabinet would be locked and accessed by staff. County legal counsel told commissioners that no specific liquor‑law provision bars an adult from holding a beverage while children are present.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve the extension of the premises and the change of class to a Class D on‑ and off‑sale license for Backwater Books at 8156 Main Street. The board voted in favor, the applicants waived their right to appeal at that time, and the board offered congratulations.
The license change takes effect in accordance with the board’s normal issuance process; the applicants must meet any administrative conditions set by the clerk before receiving the amended license.
