Woodburn's Beverage, Inc. v. Board of License Commissioners

More than thirty-five years ago, a lawyer for Giant Food, Inc. told a Senate Committee:

It is the desire of many Maryland residents to be able to purchase beer and wine at our supermarkets. This view is expressed continually by our customers, who ask ... why we don’t sell beer and wine in our stores. Few understand the legal complications and limitations that have been imposed onus.[ 1 ]

The General Assembly paid little heed to this plea, as it enacted tougher prohibitions on the transfer of alcoholic beverage licenses to “chain stores,” “supermarkets” and “discount houses.” Chapter 991, Laws…