Prince George's pushes for MD to allow grocery stores in county to sell alcohol

Prince George’s shoppers say they’re all in for more grocery stores throughout the county — even if that means beer and wine are sold inside.

The effort to attract grocery stores to the county follows a multi-year campaign to bring the provision to Maryland.

“For party sake, for entertainment sake, I think that’s great — I’m not a drinker,” said one resident.

Prince George’s county leaders say the sale of beer and wine is one way to attract private businesses.

“The real goal is to bring grocery stores into communities that historically that don’t have them,” said Council Member Krystal Oriadha. “We understand we have to incentivize that and so we look at adding beer and wine as incentive for them to come into areas that don’t have grocery stores.”

Earlier this summer, the Prince George’s County council passed a resolution calling on the state’s general assembly to allow grocery stores in the county to sell beer and wine.

For the last couple of years, the work to give grocery stores permission to sell beer and wine has failed. A pair of bills that would have expanded beer and wine sales to supermarkets and retailers failed to receive enough committee votes in the state house and senate despite support from Gov. Wes Moore.

Prince George’s County leaders say there’s now a push to establish a pilot program granting some grocery stores the opportunity to sell the alcoholic products in stores.

“We know the state has not wanted to move on the big picture of allowing all grocery stores, but can we do it for grocery stores that come into areas that historically do not have access to fresh fruit and vegetables,” Oriadha said.

Shoppers say the pilot program could make shopping easier for those who don’t have access to the grocery stores.

“I just think they should have more grocery stores, but also that they should have places that people could shop that’s not as expensive,” said one resident.

Maryland’s State Licensed Beverage Association has been vocal in the past about the effort, citing a potential negative impact on jobs and the state’s economy. News4 reached out to the group and is waiting to hear back.