Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Restrictions and limitations will be lifted for wineries wanting to participate in farmers' markets, though access to markets is not guaranteed.
Local wineries will no longer face restrictions that have prevented them from participating in more than three farmers' markets per year throughout Maryland. Beginning on June 1, Maryland wineries will be able to attend an unlimited number of farmers' markets to sell wine by the bottle and offer samples. The new policy allows wineries to apply for an off-site permit, which grants access to any farmers' market. However, wineries will still have to be approved, and invited, by markets and event organizers before they are allowed in. In addition, wineries cannot sell wine by the glass at these markets. Previously, responsibility was placed on farmers' market managers and property managers to fill out the paperwork for each individual event. …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A study recently released by a Maryland group found approximately $100 million in new business revenue could be generated from sales of beer and wine in chain stores.
A recent study commissioned by a statewide advocacy group found selling beer and wine in chain stores could result in significant revenue for Maryland. The study concluded that opening up wine and beer sales in chain stores, such as convenience stores and groceries, would generate $72 million in upfront licensing fees for the state. The issue of alcohol sales in chain stores became a major topic in Columbia in the summer when the husband of the president of Wegmans attempted to open a 10,000 square foot liquor store on the second floor of the new grocery store. The Howard County Beverage Board voted down that proposal after its members agreed it would violate state law and harm local businesses. Currently, Maryland is only one of four …
Friday, October 12, 2012
Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? Check out some of the fun things going on around town.
Where: Patapsco Female Institute Historical Park, 3691 Sarah's Ln, Ellicott City When: Oct. 5-Oct. 28. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m. Description: The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents Richard III. Play is presented in the haunted ruins of Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park. The audience then follows the actors around the grounds as the plot progresses. Pricing: $29-36 Where: Sharp's at Waterford Farm, 4003 Jennings Chapel Road, Brookeville When: Friday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m., Saturday Oct. 13 and Sunday Oct. 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Description: Sharp’s at Waterford Farm celebratesn the fall season with hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze, scarecrow making, local food and drink and more. …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Democrats and Republicans agree on this issue, according to poll results.
A recent poll shows that a majority of Marylanders favor being able to buy beer and wine at chain stores, despite the fact it's illegal for most chain stores in the state to hold a liquor license. A poll conducted in late September by Gonzales Research found that 64 percent of Marylanders favor being able to buy beer and wine at chain stores. The issue crosses party lines. The poll found that 56 percent of Democrats and 77 percent of Republicans believe chain stores should be able to sell beer and wine. The poll was conducted for Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws (MBBWL), an advocacy group that has supported repealing laws that ban chain stores from receiving liquor licenses. Adam Borden, president of MBBWL, said Gonzales was …
Monday, July 30, 2012
You tell us: Should Wegmans have a second-floor liquor store?
The decision on whether to grant a liquor license to a proposed 10,000 square foot liquor store that would be located on the second floor of the Columbia Wegmans could come tonight from the Howard County Alcoholic Beverage Board. Follow Patch's coverage of the hearing tonight live on Twitter using the hashtag #WegmansLiquor. Two previous hearings on the liquor store ended without a decision. The first one on May 1, which ran about five hours, ended before public comments were finished. The speakers there were concerned about the effect the large liquor store would have on their local businesses and whether it was within the law to sell alcohol inside a chain grocery store, which is generally prohibited in Maryland. At the May 1 meeting, …
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Where can you find a bottle of just about anything you're in the mood for?
Red, white, sparkling -- for health or pleasure, most of us enjoy a glass or two of wine. But when you want to break out of that routine and try something different, where do you go for the greatest variety of choices? From July 23 to Aug. 17, we’re asking readers to vote in our poll and let us know where in Howard County has the greatest selection of wines. Winners will receive the honor of being named the Readers’ Choice winner in their community.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The proposed liquor store in Wegmans has sparked the debate.
The proposed 10,000-square-foot liquor store inside the new Columbia Wegmans has reignited the debate on whether wine, beer and liquor should be sold in Maryland grocery and convenience stores. In an expansive article on Saturday, the Baltimore Sun examined how multiple grocery stores are trying to find ways around rules that generally ban chain grocery stores from selling wine, beer and liquor. (There are some exceptions, such as an Eastern Shore Giant location that has a license that has been grandfathered.) Adam Borden, the president of Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws, said the bans are antiquated. “Our culture has evolved,” said Borden. “It used to be one where temperance and orderly tax collections were our most paramount …
AV
10:54 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Consumers should be allowed more choices regarding where they are allowed to purchase their liquid libations. Maryland alcohol distribution laws are tantamount to protectionism and cronyism. Until recently, you could not have wine shipped to your front door or have the bottle re-corked at a restaurant. Maryland legislators have been slow to keep up with consumer demands/needs and are beholden to … more ›