2018 Press Releases
Press Release: On August 10, 2018 the BLLC will be moving to 1 North Charles Street, Suite 1500, Baltimore, MD 21201. The BLLC will close its offices, currently located at 231 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, at 12:30pm to facilitate the moving process. Effective August 13, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. the BLLC will be open for business to the public to conduct all regularly scheduled business at its new offices located at 1 North Charles Street, Suite 1500, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Announcement: On September 4, 2018, Chairman Albert J. Matricciani Jr. of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced the Board’s meeting dates for the final quarter of 2018. They are listed below:
- Oct: 11th, 18th, and 25th
- Nov: 1st, 8th, and 29th
- Dec: 6th and 13th
Please note, that on October 25, 2018 the Board will hold an evening hearing from 5pm to 7pm.
Announcement: The BLLC is excited to announce the issuance of its first edition of the monthly "BLLC Community Connection" Newsletter. The newsletter will answer questions from the community, remind the public of important dates, and much more. Each month the newsletter will be added to the BLLC's Community Engagement Page.
Announcement: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City has issued its End of Year Report for License Year 2017-2018. The BLLC is continually trying to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service provided to both licensees and the community. Agency policies and procedures have been implemented over the course of the license year towards achieving this goal.
Press Release: Mayor Catherine E. Pugh appointed Elizabeth A. Hafey to the Board of Liquor License Commissioners of Baltimore City (Board) to fill the term of outgoing Commissioner Dana P. Moore, who recently resigned from the Board to become Deputy Solicitor of the Law Department for the City of Baltimore. On February 16, 2018, the Maryland State Senate confirmed Ms. Hafey’s nomination to the Board.
Announcement: On May 30, 2018, Chairman Albert J. Matricciani Jr. of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced the Board’s meeting dates for the third quarter of 2018. They are listed below:
- July: 12th, 19th, and 26th
- Aug: 9th, 23rd, and 30th
- Sept: 13th and 27th
Announcement: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) will not be processing new, transfer, or expansion applications during the month of April of 2018. The BLLC will still accept and process Hardship Extension Requests and Requests to Reopen during April of 2018. Starting May 1, 2018 – the beginning of the new license year – the agency shall only accept BLLC 2018-2019 applications submitted to the agency. The agency shall no longer accept and process BLLC 2017-2018 applications starting on May 1, 2018. Below please see links to the following BLLC 2018-2019 applications:
- Checklist for Applicants
- New and Transfer Application
- Financial Form Application
- One Day Application
- One Day Non-Profit Beer Festival
- Substitute Application
- Wine Corkage and Growler Fee Application
- Alcoholic Beverages Delivery Form
- Delivery Registration Form
- Pub Tour Promoter’s Permit
Please note that all of these documents are fillable PDF documents. Starting on May 1, 2018 these applications will replace the BLLC 2017-2018 applications on its website and within its office. Lastly, the BLLC will not begin to accept and process BLLC 2018-2019 applications until May 1, 2018. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this announcement, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 410-396-4377.
Announcement: On February 27, 2018, Chairman Albert J. Matricciani Jr. of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced the Board’s meeting dates for the second quarter of 2018. They are listed below:
- April: 5th, 19th, 26th
- May: 3rd, 17th, 24th
- June: 7th, 14th, 21st
Please note, that on June 21, 2018 the Board will hold an evening hearing from 5pm to 7pm.
Announcement: Renewal season for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) runs March 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. The office is open Monday, March 26, 2018 – Thursday, March 29, 2018 during the hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. All City Agencies will be closed on Friday, March 30, 2018 in observance of the holiday. If you wish to deliver documents to the office in person, please visit our office by 4:30 PM on March 29, 2018. If you wish to mail renewal related documents, such items must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2018 to be considered timely. If documents are postmarked on April 1, 2018 or later, the documents will be deemed late. If you have any questions regarding the announcement above, please feel free to contact our office at 410-396-4377.
Announcement: On March 1, 2018 the alcoholic beverages license renewal process for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) begins. As per State law, the license renewal season ends on March 31, 2018. Renewal letters, 2018 Renewal Applications, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet have been sent out to all alcoholic beverage licensees. The renewal application, along with the FAQ sheet, and other applicable renewal documents, can be located and downloaded from the BLLC’s Renewal Webpage.
Announcement: On November 28, 2017, Chairman Albert J. Matricciani Jr. of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced the Board’s meeting dates for the first quarter of 2018. They are listed below:
- January 4th, 11th, and 25th
- February 1st, 8th, and 15th
- March 1st and 15th
Announcement: On behalf of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) and in an effort to improve agency operations, the following proposed bills were introduced this Maryland General Assembly session:
- Residency and Registered Voter Requirements – SB395/HB448
- Suspension based on Unpaid Personal Property Tax – SB401/HB789
- License Application Newspaper Notice – SB399
- Class A-7 Licenses – SB519/HB745
As per Chairman Albert J. Matricciani, Jr, “The Board welcomes additional comments from the public and I thank the City’s leadership in the legislature for introducing these bills."
Information on the Proposed Bills
Announcement: On February 6, 2018 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued and implemented the 2018 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Manual. The Board takes seriously its obligation to ensure that the agency’s policies and procedures are replicating best practices and are compliant with the law. This year the BLLC worked in concert with agency staff, the Department of Human Resources for the City of Baltimore, and the Maryland State Attorney General’s Office to develop and improve upon the 2017 SOPs that were issued by the Board in February 2017. The Board expanded upon the SOPs from 2017 to include policies and procedures in 2018 that address the following areas:
- Updated Financial Disclosure Information to reflect the new laws passed in 2017
- Publication on Board Policy Decisions
- Dress Code Requirements
- Improvements to the Posting, Notification, and Processing procedures within the New and Transfer Application Process
- Cancellation Polices for Pub tours and Extensions
- 46th District Food Form Reporting Requirements
- Scanning and Archiving Policies
- Updated 311 Response Policy
- Updated Special Investigations Policy
- Updated Posting Policy
- Updated Staffing Policy for Public Hearings
- Updated Inspector Evaluation Policy
- Community Engagement Policy