New Liquor Store and Bistro Opens in Beltsville

Larry Pendleton wanted to bring something to the greater Beltsville area that the region hasn’t seen before.

After two years of planning, preparing and primping, his business is now finally open.

Old Line Fine Wine, Spirits and Bistro opened its doors Oct. 1, but Saturday Nov. 10 was Pendleton’s grand opening. His liquor store is home to more than 10,000-square feet of wine, beer, a gift shop and even a restaurant.

At 11011 Baltimore Ave. next to Costco in the building that used to be Circuit City, Old Line is a store like no other in the area with 1,000 different brands of beer and 3,000 different brands of wine.

"I wanted to create an upscale environment for people to feel comfortable shopping and eating in,” said Pendleton, a 51-year-old Rockville resident. “We have a gift shop, gourmet meats and cheeses and in the bistro, 20 beers on tap.”

The bistro—which part-owner Doug Tuomey described as “American cuisine with a French twist”—has a moderately priced menu including cream of crab soup ($7), the Old Line Burger ($9) and pan seared duck breast ($16), among many other options. The bistro can fit up to 100 diners at one time, Pendleton said.

Redskins cheerleaders, a Rodney Dangerfield impersonator and David Iannucci, of Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker’s office, attended the grand opening, where customers could enter drawings to win Redskins football tickets and taste samples of gumbo, smoked beef and grilled shrimp. The store also has several fundraisers to support the military.

“This is really high-end for our area,” Iannucci said. “It’s a wonderful mix of not just wine and beer. It’s like a mini Wegman’s model and it’s just in time for the holidays.”

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Iannucci commended Pendleton for creating 40 new jobs and taking a risk on opening a niche store.

“It takes guts to be a small businessman,” Iannucci said. “It’s tough and it really takes courage.”

Although Pendleton said business so far has just been “okay,” Tuomey says he hopes the bistro will attract local sports fans.

“It’s not a sports bar, but we’re trying to organize viewing parties so fans can watch Maryland games or Redskins games,” he said.

Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Old Line also offers tasting events, including a Long Trail beer and Cameron Hughes wine tasting from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.

“This is everything I wanted and expected it to be,” Pendleton said. “It’s really great to finally see it all come together.”