CHAIN STORES
How Maryland Prohibits Chain Store Sales
Maryland law currently prohibits chain stores from selling through three different ways:
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Explicit Prohibition (MD Alcoholic B Code § 4-205 (2019))
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A local licensing board may not issue a Class A, Class B, or Class D beer license, beer and wine license, or beer, wine, and liquor license for use in conjunction with or on the premises of:
(1) a chain store;
(2) a supermarket; or
(3) a discount house.
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MD Residency/Individuals Only (ruled unenforceable per 2019 US Supreme Court case Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas)
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Not More than 1 License Per Individual (MD Alcoholic B Code § 4-203 (2019))
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Except as otherwise provided in Division II of this article, Title 3, Title 4, or Title 5 of this division, or subsection (b) of this section, more than one license may not be issued:(a)
(1) to an individual; or
(2) for the use of a partnership, a corporation, an unincorporated association, or a limited liability company.