Caroline County licensing board grants short extensions, approves temporary tasting permit as business owners outline event plans

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on Wednesday approved short extensions for two liquor‑license applicants and granted a temporary tasting permit while hearing detailed plans from a local business owner about event catering and vendor compliance.

The board granted a 30‑day extension for Homestead Real Estate LLC, doing business as Preston Roadhouse, after staff reported the applicant had obtained the Maryland sales‑and‑use tax license but still awaited a couple of health inspections. The board’s inspector, identified in the record as the inspector (S3), said a recent pre‑inspection found work remains and noted, “there's no alcohol in this establishment yet,” but recommended giving the applicant time to complete requirements. Committee member (S5) moved to approve a 30‑day extension; the motion was seconded and approved.

The board also discussed an extension request from Ridgely Corporation (Ridgeley Exxon). Staff and the inspector said the business needed to replace refrigeration units discovered during inspection. Committee member (S4) moved to approve a 60‑day extension to allow the owner to complete that work; the chair seconded the motion and the board approved it.

In a separate item the board considered a temporary application from Red Light Liquors for beer, wine and liquor tasting samplings. Robin Rudiger, who identified herself to the board and gave her address, was sworn in as the applicant and described converting the previous tasting permission to the new temporary license that includes liquor. Rudiger said the business also plans to pursue a liquor caterer's license for event catering under the name “Red Light Uncorked.” “We have wedding deliveries booked for September and October,” Rudiger told the board, and said the temporary permit was part of a broader plan that includes online product listings and an eventual renovation project with a roughly 14–16 month timeline before construction could begin. Committee member (S5) moved to approve the temporary beer/wine/liquor tasting application; the motion was seconded and approved.

Staff confirmed the temporary tasting permit fee discussed at the meeting is $50 per event/license instance and that the licensing framework will transition to the new format on Jan. 1. The board and applicant also discussed how many individuals must be listed on a license depending on ownership percentages; the inspector said those requirements depend on how an LLC is structured.

Rudiger and several board members spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing festival vending and vendor compliance. Rudiger said she had heard concerns that some out‑of‑county vendors at a recent Ridgely Winterfest lacked proper certifications and asked how the county enforces those rules. The inspector explained that state licensing governs some vendor permissions (the transcript uses the acronym ATCC for the state authority), but the county inspector still enforces local rules at events and follows up with the state when vendor paperwork is missing.

The inspector’s report noted recent local inspections (including a pre‑inspection at Preston Roadhouse), ongoing efforts to deliver ServSafe and TIPS/TIP training in the area, and challenges with the state’s test and card delivery that have delayed worker certifications. The administrator’s report summarized recent events that complied with rules (a VFW bike show and other community events), listed an upcoming “Rock the Barn” event on July 13, and reminded members that the October meeting date will move from Oct. 23 to Oct. 16.

The meeting ended after a brief period for public remarks and a motion to adjourn was approved by the board. No formal appeals or denials were recorded during the session; several items (for example, Castle Hall) were formally withdrawn by applicants, which staff noted during the meeting.