I came across posts on various social media platforms stating that Kings Contrivance Liquor and Smoke Shop was closed and that there was a sign stating a problem with their license.

There was a lot of speculation online as to why they did not have a current license and were now closed.

I reached out to the Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board to see what information I could get for this article. Here is what I received via email to my question about the license status:

They had an issue with their resident agent not complying with the 2-year residence requirement so their license could not be renewed. However, they are coming in for a new hearing on May 14 with a new resident agent. Their new license, if approved, may be reissued as soon as 5/15.

Robin Regner

Board Administrator

410-313-2395

So this did not have anything to do with Underage Drinking Sales Testing as has been speculated…at least that is not the reason given to me when I reached out.

There is a meeting of the Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board on May 14th at 6:30pm. One of the items on the agenda is:

NEW Class A-1 (Package Goods Store)

BEER, WINE AND LIQUOR

7-DAY OFF-SALE LICENSE

FOR: Columbia Liquor, LLC t/a Kings Contrivance Liquor & Smoke Shop in the names of Alka Jain and Bharat N. Patel for a 3,600 square foot package goods store located at 8630 Guilford Road, Suite C, Columbia, Maryland 21046.

I expect that this will probably be resolved quickly…just thought it was good to have this information out to the community for those interested.

Scott E