Why is MontCo in the hard alcohol business?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s in the nature of liberal democrats to micromanage people’s lives. Right down to what they’re allowed to drink ad where they can buy it.

Dumb response. DC is more liberal and doesn't have these restrictions.

And Utah is one of the most republican states and has the absolute strictest and quirkiest rules (eg, cocktails at a bar can’t be mixed in public view).

When I lived in SC, all liquor by the drink had to be poured from sealed mini bottles. Welcome to the $30 Long Island Iced Tea.

South Carolina's rules were nuts. Seriously.

I suspect that MoCo is in the liquor business for the same reasons that every other state that has a monopoly over the wholesaling or retailing of liquor is. According to the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association, "Seventeen states and jurisdictions in Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota and South Dakota adopted forms of the "Control" model. They control the sale of distilled spirits and, in some cases, wine and beer through government agencies at the wholesale level. Thirteen of those jurisdictions also exercise control over retail sales for off-premises consumption; either through government-operated package stores or designated agents." The list includes several states that aren't exactly bastions of liberalism: Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

[Anonymous]

The County needs to get out of this business. Simply bizzare. Who buys their liquor in Md anyway?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever even been to a MoCo liquor store? They're the cheapest in the DC area by far except for maybe Costco, but Costco's selection is poor and only sells handles.

Absolutely not true at least for beer and wine!! I'd always buy wine and beer at Safeway in DC and it was so much cheaper than any of the MoCo stores. The selection for beer and wine is so much better in DC and VA too. If there is something that you really like, the stores in the other states can often get it for you or let you know where else you can find it. In MoCO, it has to be on the county list. Just sucks all around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Have you ever even been to a MoCo liquor store? They're the cheapest in the DC area by far except for maybe Costco, but Costco's selection is poor and only sells handles.

Absolutely not true at least for beer and wine!! I'd always buy wine and beer at Safeway in DC and it was so much cheaper than any of the MoCo stores. The selection for beer and wine is so much better in DC and VA too. If there is something that you really like, the stores in the other states can often get it for you or let you know where else you can find it. In MoCO, it has to be on the county list. Just sucks all around.

MoCo liquor stores are awful compared to the DC stores. They do not have the selection or flexibility. Some DC stores import their own stuff. MoCo should get out of the business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, we’re not supposed to call it “hard liquor” anymore. The PC term now is “spirits.”

You are joking right? Samuel Pepys used "spirits" as did Charles Dickens, so not newly PC.

[Anonymous]

NC state has “abc” stores which are all state run

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NC state has “abc” stores which are all state run

Maryland should split the bit and replicate NC: liquor in ABC stories, beer/wine in grocery stores.

[Anonymous]

taxes

[Anonymous]

Montgomery should simply get out of the business. Montgomery wants to legalize pot but keep control of alcohol. Bizzare. Its political leaders are incompetent. I speak as a Montgomery resident and registered Democrat. Clueless political leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a state law.

No it’s not. It is just the county. And it is ridiculous.

Ridiculous and very short sighted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a state law.

No it’s not. It is just the county. And it is ridiculous.

You are both right. It is just this county, but the Montgomery County Liquor Control Board was established pursuant to state law.

And it is absolutely ridiculous.

People have made entire careers at running the ‘liquor business’ for the county. So, of course they don’t want to give it up - it’s supporting them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If You want To Change simply start A Petition.

I think Virginia is also in the liquor business for the extra $$$

It’s definately the money.

Can you really no buy beer and wine in the grocery store in MD? That is crazy.

There are a few grandfathered licenses. Balduccis has one. Magruders used to be able to. Talbert’s on river Rd has one.

It’s why the Trader Joe’s in MoCo don’t sell wine.

Chain retailers are only issued 1 license for the entire chain. The 7-11 on 97 in Aspen Hill sells beer, and I think the Giant’s license is used at a location in White Oak. Single location groceries like the Grosvenor Market and the now closed Chevy Chase Supermarket can sell beer and wine.

They do the same thing to restaurants - an owner can have one restaurant that sells alcohol but if you open a second location that location can’t sell alcohol. Why would anyone ever do business in this county??
This is why Urban BBQ sells beer at the Norbeck location, but the one in Rockville does not. That ridiculously cuts into profits and I can’t believe the county thinks that that’s a good business practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If You want To Change simply start A Petition.

I think Virginia is also in the liquor business for the extra $$$

It’s definately the money.

Can you really no buy beer and wine in the grocery store in MD? That is crazy.

There are a few grandfathered licenses. Balduccis has one. Magruders used to be able to. Talbert’s on river Rd has one.

It’s why the Trader Joe’s in MoCo don’t sell wine.

Chain retailers are only issued 1 license for the entire chain. The 7-11 on 97 in Aspen Hill sells beer, and I think the Giant’s license is used at a location in White Oak. Single location groceries like the Grosvenor Market and the now closed Chevy Chase Supermarket can sell beer and wine.

Really? How do the Black’s Restauraunt group, the Olazzo/Gringo’s guys, etc do it? Different owners on paper even though it’s the same owners?

They do the same thing to restaurants - an owner can have one restaurant that sells alcohol but if you open a second location that location can’t sell alcohol. Why would anyone ever do business in this county??
This is why Urban BBQ sells beer at the Norbeck location, but the one in Rockville does not. That ridiculously cuts into profits and I can’t believe the county thinks that that’s a good business practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If You want To Change simply start A Petition.

I think Virginia is also in the liquor business for the extra $$$

It’s definately the money.

Can you really no buy beer and wine in the grocery store in MD? That is crazy.

There are a few grandfathered licenses. Balduccis has one. Magruders used to be able to. Talbert’s on river Rd has one.

It’s why the Trader Joe’s in MoCo don’t sell wine.

Chain retailers are only issued 1 license for the entire chain. The 7-11 on 97 in Aspen Hill sells beer, and I think the Giant’s license is used at a location in White Oak. Single location groceries like the Grosvenor Market and the now closed Chevy Chase Supermarket can sell beer and wine.

They do the same thing to restaurants - an owner can have one restaurant that sells alcohol but if you open a second location that location can’t sell alcohol. Why would anyone ever do business in this county??
This is why Urban BBQ sells beer at the Norbeck location, but the one in Rockville does not. That ridiculously cuts into profits and I can’t believe the county thinks that that’s a good business practice.

My reply got buried above - anyway how do the Black’s Restauraunt group, the Olazzo/Gringo’s guys, etc do it? Different owners on paper even though it’s the same owners?