Timothy Sylvia
In another instance of alcohol and business partnership in Frederick county, a bill that would allow licensed barbershops to serve beer and wine to customers has passed its third reading in both the House and Senate and is expected to become law.
The bill would allow barbershops in Frederick County to acquire a license to provide up to five ounces of beer or wine per serving to customers. The bill is in response to a similar law, which has been effective since last July and allows beauty salons in Frederick County the same guidelines. This bill would effectively open up alcohol serving to shops with more male-oriented customers.
The bill, which was sponsored by Democratic Sen. Ron Young and Republican Sen. Michael Hough, doesn’t allow for the barbershops to sell beer and wine themselves. The shops are allowed to provide beer and wine to customers who have paid for a certain service or are attending a fundraising event held by the shop.
“It’s an added feature in shops,” Young said. “Someone, while they’re waiting, can have a small glass of wine or a small portion of beer. Just an additional attraction and an additional service that they can give the customers.”
The bill is not expected to create noticeable revenue for the county as a whole, but for the barbershops themselves. To obtain the license, any of the 38 eligible shops must pay a $750 application fee, as well as a yearly $100 license fee. The wording of the bill states that it is expected to lead to an increase in sales for participating shops.
Some barbershops have already taken notice of the bill and are interested in offering the service.
“It’s definitely beneficial,” said Tyler Darlington, a barber at Tried & True, a barbershop and shave parlor in Frederick. “It draws in a wider variety of, you know, people that we’re looking to see here. We’re not looking to just give a haircut and get out the door, we’re looking for someone to come in and chill out. It’s their time, it’s their 30 minutes and then add in a beer to that experience, it kind of takes the cake.”
The bill was first brought to Young by the Frederick County Liquor Board, which regulates alcoholic beverage distribution and sale in the county. Senators Young and Michael Hough sponsored the bill in the Senate, while the Frederick County delegation sponsored it in the House of Delegates. It was introduced in the House and Senate on Jan. 9, and has passed all three separate readings in the House and Senate. Now that it has passed all three readings, it goes back to the Senate for a final vote before it appears in front of the governor. The bill is expected to get to the governor as the previous vote passed 139-1.
While Young said that this bill is not an attempt to popularize the growing craft beverage industry in Frederick County, on a local level, the county is becoming more open to this industry.
On Feb. 9, County Executive Jan Gardner introduced a bill looking to establish limited tasting rooms for farm based breweries, wineries and distilleries within the county. The bill, which has been introduced to the Frederick County Council by Council President Bud Otis, is an attempt to make it easier for craft beverage makers in the county to promote and sell their product.
“My proposal will create a quicker, more streamlined process to support new farm-based business ventures while also respecting the rights of adjacent property owners. They will be able to establish small tasting rooms at wineries, breweries and distilleries so visitors can sample the products before buying,” Gardner said in a press release.
While serving alcohol would make haircuts and shaves an even more personal and social experience than they already are, Darlington didn’t seem to think that many of Frederick’s other barbershops would utilize the bill.
“They’re looking for the in and out,” Darlington said. “They’re in, maybe in there 15, 20 minutes, that doesn’t really give someone the time to, you know, chill out and drink a beer.”
If the bill does end up passing and becoming law, it will go into effect on July 1, a year after its beauty salon predecessor. According to Young, similar initiatives have also been requested and pushed for by movie theaters.