BERLIN–The Raceway Citgo is currently a gas station, seafood market, and furniture outlet – but it won’t be a bar, at least for now.
Traffic issues and lack of public need led the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners last week to deny a request from brothers Mark and John Wittmyer, Raceway Citgo’s owners, for an upgrade in their alcoholic beverage license for the store, located at the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589.
“You guys do a great job,” board member Charles Nichols told the brothers during the Sept. 17 public hearing in Snow Hill. “But we’re here to look after public safety.”
Nichols also noted that Rita O’Neill, owner of Rita’s World of Wine, Beer and Spirits in Pennington Commons across from Ocean Pines, had testified that business at her store has declined 8 percent since the county’s Shore Spirits liquor store moved from Berlin to Route 50. If Raceway Citgo started selling liquor, her market share would decline further, she said.
The Wittmyers wanted to alter their small convenience store by eliminating some items to make room for a 25-seat bar, which is required for a Class D license to sell liquor in factory-sealed bottles to-go. Their current alcoholic beverage license permits them to sell beer and wine to-go. They also have a seafood market and furniture sales on the property.
“We’ve been there 25 years and are now planning for the next 25 years,” Mark Wittmyer told the board.
They are known for personalized service, such as pumping gas for the elderly, and the bar and liquor sales “will enhance our investment and serve the community,” he said.
The brothers have a contract to sell gasoline for the next couple of years, but selling gasoline has become more difficult because of competition from large chain convenience stores. If they decide to cease the gasoline sales, liquor sales could bring in needed revenue.
Attorney Mark Cropper, who represented the Wittmyers, told the board that residents of Ocean Pines and GlenRiddle would benefit greatly if they could purchase liquor at Raceway Citgo, but attorney Pete Cosby, who represented O’Neill, said Raceway Citgo was located at what is “probably the busiest intersection in Worcester County.”
“There’s no need for a bar here,” Cosby said. “It’s the last place this county needs a bar. And there is no public need for alcohol to be sold there.”
The business’ traffic pattern is also problematic, since it has two uncontrolled entrances to Route 50, and because there is limited room between the gas pumps and the convenience store for motorists. The Wittmyers said they could change the traffic pattern to make it safer. They also own the property behind their business, where employees park, leaving the closer spaces for customers.
Board members were not swayed, and denied the request for an upgrade to their license. The Wittmyers may re-apply at a later date.
Traffic issues and lack of public need led the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners last week to deny a request from brothers Mark and John Wittmyer, Raceway Citgo’s owners, for an upgrade in their alcoholic beverage license for the store, located at the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589.
“You guys do a great job,” board member Charles Nichols told the brothers during the Sept. 17 public hearing in Snow Hill. “But we’re here to look after public safety.”
Nichols also noted that Rita O’Neill, owner of Rita’s World of Wine, Beer and Spirits in Pennington Commons across from Ocean Pines, had testified that business at her store has declined 8 percent since the county’s Shore Spirits liquor store moved from Berlin to Route 50. If Raceway Citgo started selling liquor, her market share would decline further, she said.
The Wittmyers wanted to alter their small convenience store by eliminating some items to make room for a 25-seat bar, which is required for a Class D license to sell liquor in factory-sealed bottles to-go. Their current alcoholic beverage license permits them to sell beer and wine to-go. They also have a seafood market and furniture sales on the property.
“We’ve been there 25 years and are now planning for the next 25 years,” Mark Wittmyer told the board.
They are known for personalized service, such as pumping gas for the elderly, and the bar and liquor sales “will enhance our investment and serve the community,” he said.
The brothers have a contract to sell gasoline for the next couple of years, but selling gasoline has become more difficult because of competition from large chain convenience stores. If they decide to cease the gasoline sales, liquor sales could bring in needed revenue.
Attorney Mark Cropper, who represented the Wittmyers, told the board that residents of Ocean Pines and GlenRiddle would benefit greatly if they could purchase liquor at Raceway Citgo, but attorney Pete Cosby, who represented O’Neill, said Raceway Citgo was located at what is “probably the busiest intersection in Worcester County.”
“There’s no need for a bar here,” Cosby said. “It’s the last place this county needs a bar. And there is no public need for alcohol to be sold there.”
The business’ traffic pattern is also problematic, since it has two uncontrolled entrances to Route 50, and because there is limited room between the gas pumps and the convenience store for motorists. The Wittmyers said they could change the traffic pattern to make it safer. They also own the property behind their business, where employees park, leaving the closer spaces for customers.
Board members were not swayed, and denied the request for an upgrade to their license. The Wittmyers may re-apply at a later date.