OCEAN CITY — With bills pending in the General Assembly that could allow big-box stores and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and liquor, the local independent stores are circulating a petition against the proposed legislation.
In each of the last few years, legislation has been submitted in the Maryland General Assembly that would allow big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart, Costco or Sam’s Club, for example, along with convenience store chains such as 7-Eleven, Wawa and Royal Farms, to sell beer, wine and liquor. For a variety of reasons, the legislation has not made it through.
This year, however, multiple bills allowing big corporations to sell alcohol in Maryland are expected to be filed. In response, the Worcester County Licensed Beverage Association (WCLBA) is already circulating a petition against the proposed legislation and the competition it could bring for local mom-and-pop establishments.
WCLBA Executive Director Charlene Elliot-Carr, who also serves as sergeant-at-arms for the Maryland Licensed Beverage Association, is leading the effort at the local level.
1st of all…Royal Farms does carry beer already. They’ve got it in several stores in and around Salisbury, along with the stores on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Is this a Worcester County exclusive Bill? I do know they can only get a certain number of licenses in Salisbury/Wicomico, so they’ve actually transferred it on occasion when opening new stores. The license went to the Hebron store from the Main St store, and from Snow Hill Rd up to the one across from the college.
Must be a high profit item or no one would be whining
In NY state you can go into any convenient store and get beer / wine, etc
Why should the citizens be limited to grocery store hours