Wicomico Co. Council discusses redevelopment of alcohol dispensary structure, local business owners weigh in

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – “The dispensary is antiquated. We’re one of the last counties in the United States with a government run program to distribute beer, wine, and liquors,” Chambers said.

Improving the current alcohol dispensary structure was the hot topic at the Wicomico County Council Meeting Tuesday.

For now, all restaurants and bars, and liquor stores can only purchase alcohol from the county’s dispensary. “Government should not be in the business of dictating to business what they buy, when they buy it, and how they buy it,” SBY Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers said.

“When you look at our peer groups, we’re paying 15% more per bottle. If I charge $8.00 and someone else charges $8.00 a drink its costing me a lot more,” Roskovich said.

County Executive Julie Giordano proposed a hybrid system, allowing those businesses to buy directly from their distributors while keeping access the dispensary open.

It’s an option Adam’s Tap House Grill Owner Peter Roskovich supports. “I love that hybrid system because products like Patron or Maker’s Mark I may only buy one bottle a week so I could still go down to the dispensary and buy it. If I buy something by the case, I can buy it through my distributors and get a better price,” Roskovich said.

Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers says the hybrid proposal could be a possible solution but that could potentially phase out the dispensary completely.

He adds that the chamber has recommended that the county council will have to go back to the drawing board and that may include the development of a task force. “Let them sit down over the course of the next few months to development recommendations and ideas to present to the council and executive. Then when everyone is in agreement, take it to Annapolis,” Chambers said.

“That probably won’t happen this session of the general assembly but that’s okay, I think getting it right the first time is the smarter way to do it.”

No official bill has currently been drafted for this measure, which is another reason why county officials say more discussion is needed.

Business owners in the county tell us the current liquor system on top of minimum wage being raised will put them at a disadvantage in comparison to other counties.