Mobile IDs accepted at Montgomery County store for alcohol sales
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Montgomery County’s Department of Alcohol Beverage Services will begin accepting mobile IDs at its Westbard retail store.
This will be the first government-run alcohol distribution system in the region to accept mobile IDs for age verification when purchasing alcohol.
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The Westbard Oak Barrel & Vine retail store will hold a kick-off event on Wednesday, February 5 at 10 a.m.
Following the pilot program, this initiative could expand to all its 27 retail stores.
This all comes just a week after Montgomery County beer and wine stores introduced the sale of spirit-based drinks.
The change provides customers with expanded options and opens new revenue streams for local businesses.
The move comes as Maryland continues to explore the broader expansion of liquor sales across the state.
For many businesses, this decision marks a significant opportunity.
Stores like Elbe's Beer and Wine in Wheaton, which has been serving the community for decades, are already preparing to capitalize on the change.
"It’s a family-owned business. We’re second generation. We started in 1951, we’re going on 74 years in May," said Jeff Bobrow of Elbe's.