The Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners ruled March 11 that Town Center Market may continue to serve alcohol for customers to drink at the store.
The liquor board had challenged the market’s long-standing practice of selling draft beer and cocktails to customers for on-site consumption at the Riverdale Park location, saying holders of Class B+ liquor licenses may not serve drinks for on-site consumption unless they also have a restaurant.
Before the market’s owner and supporters had a chance to speak in support of the tradition, however, Board Chair Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms read a statement saying the board had decided to allow the 14-year-old liquor store to continue the practice.
“The board finds that the law permits on-site consumption of spirits without a requirement to offer food for sale,” Simms said.
But she said the liquor board has “major concerns with the business model” of Class B+ license holders without restaurants that serve drinks to customers. She said the board “may seek a legislative clarification regarding the issue.”
Before the hearing, commission Director Terence Sheppard had characterized the board’s action as a sort of fact-finding mission rather than a disciplinary move.
The board’s decision reflected those statements.
In her statement during the hearing, Bridgwaters-Simms said the board put its decision on the record to clarify the law surrounding the Class B+ license and “to prevent further confusion.”
The market, located at 4705 Queensbury Road in the heart of the Riverdale Park Station area, is a gathering place for customers from College Park and other local neighborhoods, and features an outdoor patio where customers can drink beer and eat food they order from nearby restaurants.
Before the hearing, Prince George’s County Councilmember Eric Olson (District 3) sent a letter to Bridgwaters-Simms, calling the business “much more than a beer, wine and liquor store. With the addition of on-premises consumption, they have become a gathering place where all are welcome.”
Olson pointed out that the law allows Class B+ license holders to serve alcohol to customers without the requirement of a kitchen serving hot meals.
Likewise, the College Park City Council threw its support behind the market in a Feb. 24 letter to Bridgwaters-Simms.
In the letter, College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said the city “values businesses that contribute to regional economic vitality and create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors,” adding, “Town Center Market has been a consistent presence within the broader Route One Corridor and its longstanding operations have helped foster a sense of place among our shared commercial corridors.”