Who We Are
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City was created by Act of the State Legislature after the repeal of the Volstead Act in 1933. Prior to Prohibition, alcoholic beverage licenses were issued directly by the Clerk of what was then referred to as the Court of Common Pleas. There was little intervention on the part of the public, zoning or other authorities, and alcoholic beverage licenses were routinely issued as in the case of Trader's Licenses, marriage licenses, etc.
When the Volstead Act was repealed, it became apparent that appropriate controls and licensing of alcoholic beverages at the retail level were necessary for the State of Maryland to ensure public safety. Boards of Liquor License Commissioners were, therefore, created in all of the political subdivisions in the State of Maryland by an act of the Maryland General Assembly. Passed in 2016, the Alcoholic Beverages Article is the controlling alcoholic beverage statute for the State of Maryland.
There have been many changes in the law since 1933, and at each session of the Maryland General Assembly, new laws and statutes are introduced and passed which affect the operation of alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City and throughout the State of Maryland.
he Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City is an agency of the State. Every two years, the Governor of Maryland, with the advice and consent of the City Senate, appoints three individuals to serve as Commissioners on the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City, one of whom is designated as the Chairman. As a body, the Board administers the statutes, laws, ordinances, and its own Rules and Regulations regarding the operation of alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City. Currently, there are approximately 1,221 alcoholic beverage establishments in Baltimore City which is a reduction from the approximately 2,200 licenses there were in 1968.
Moratorium
The Board of Liquor License Commissioners is charged with the responsibility of limiting and/or restricting the number of establishments selling alcohol in Baltimore City.
Since 1968, the Board has had a Moratorium on the granting of new licenses in Baltimore City. Currently, the issuance of new licenses is restricted to new Class "B" restaurant licenses, arena and/or hotel licenses. Other new licenses are sometimes specifically authorized by state law.
Members of the Board
Granville Templeton, III, Esq.- Chairman
Donald L. Chambers, Jr. - Commissioner
Taueret K. Thomas - Commissioner
Elizabeth A. Hafey, Esq. - Commissioner (Alternate)
Executive Staff
Douglas K. Paige - Executive Secretary
Michelle B. Wirzberger, Esq. - Deputy Executive Secretary
Staci L. Russell - Assistant Executive Secretary
Kimberly E. Kerns - Executive Assistant
Appeals Counsel
Alice G. Pinderhughes, Esq.
Administrative Staff
Zoe Brown - Office Assistant
Jared Ramsey - Office Assistant
Kirsten Robinson - Office Assistant
Sophia Reid-Marsh - Accountant
Matt Achhammer - Community Liaison
Inspection Staff
David McGinnis - Chief Inspector
Terri Chase - Agent
Steven Han - Agent
Andy Perez - Agent
Cindy-Leigh Tudhope - Agent
Ayana Bass-Myers - Inspector
Regina Brown - Inspector
Rosalba Jordan - Inspector
Zain Nazir - Inspector