Prince Frederick, MD – Very soon, patrons of one of Calvert County’s landmark businesses will be able to buy a bottle of wine to go with their rotisserie chicken. Bowen’s Grocery in Huntingtown applied for and has been granted a modification to their Class A off-sale beer license.
During their Thursday, July 28 meeting, the Calvert County Liquor Board voted unanimously to amend Bowen’s license to allow for sales of beer and wine.
Store owners Gordon and Grace Bowen went before the three-member panel to request the amended license. Gordon Bowen noted that the store has been selling beer for about year and-a-half. So far, there have been no issues with customer purchases.
Grace Bowen stated that 16 store employees have received training for intervention procedures (TIPS) and techniques of alcohol management (TAMS) certifications.
The family-owned business opened in 1929 and, despite the presence of large grocery chains in central Calvert, has built a base of loyal customers.
The liquor board also was unanimous in their tentative approval of a license transfer affecting Mom and Pop’s Liquors on Williams Wharf Road in St. Leonard. The Class A off-sale beer, wine and liquor license is being transferred from the previous store operator to the new one, Vipin Sharma. The transfer is pending Sharma obtaining a revision in his driver’s license, indicating he is now a Calvert County resident.
Personnel changes
The liquor board has a new member. He is Frank B. Stull, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late Ruth Reid. The new inspector/law enforcement liaison is Sgt. Joe Hollinger of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, who replaces F/Sgt. Matt McDonough, who recently retired. The board’s new attorney is David C. Weigel.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com