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Riverdale Park council to send letter backing Town Center Market amid liquor-board dispute
Summary
Town council heard owners’ account of a county liquor-board letter that would curtail on-site beer/wine service, directed staff to draft a town letter of support, and encouraged local, county and state advocates to weigh in as the owner pursues legal remedies.
Town Center Market’s owner told the Riverdale Park mayor and council that the Prince George’s County liquor board has issued a letter ordering the store to stop on-site beer and wine service, and the council agreed to send a letter of support.
Council member Lingua introduced the item and called the board’s notice “confusing,” saying a 2021 county law had allowed a small set of stores to hold expanded licenses without meeting a restaurant food requirement. James Spiroppolos, who represents Town Center Market, described acquiring a B-plus license under that law, passing regular inspections and renewing the license for years, and now facing a liquor-board interpretation that could jeopardize the store’s ability to operate.
Spiroppolos told the council the board’s April 2025 letter characterizes the store as operating “a bar” and that a hearing has been scheduled and continued into March, close to the license renewal window. He said the family has spent thousands on legal help, that a failure to renew could force layoffs of roughly four or five employees, and that he and counsel have sought letters from county and state officials explaining legislative intent when the 2021 exemption was passed. “We were deemed guilty before proving our innocence,” Spiroppolos said, describing the inspections and long track record of compliance.
Council members from across the wards expressed support. “Town Center Market has become bedrock within the community,” one councilor said, and several members noted long-standing constituent relationships with the business. The mayor directed staff to prepare an official letter of support on Riverdale Park letterhead; staff confirmed they would draft the letter and work with the owner and council as needed.
The council emphasized it would not insert itself into the legal proceeding but said the town’s endorsement could reinforce the store’s standing with county and state officials. Council members also encouraged residents and county representatives to submit support letters to the liquor board and county delegation. The owner said his attorneys have filed procedural responses and planned further outreach to legislators.
What happens next: staff will prepare a town letter of support and the owner continues legal and legislative outreach; a liquor-board hearing date remains part of the administrative record and may affect the upcoming license renewal.
