The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners found Tri Me Warehouse Foods (licensee Young Woo) in violation after an undercover compliance check on Sept. 10, 2025, that resulted in an employee selling alcohol to a confidential informant under 21. The board imposed a $500 fine for the underage sale and issued a formal letter of reprimand covering employee‑record requirements.

According to the county alcoholic beverage inspector’s report, a confidential informant entered Tri Me Warehouse Foods at 11 Central Avenue, Ridgely, and purchased a 12‑pack of Michelob Ultra without being asked for identification. The inspector said the sale was completed by an unidentified male behind the counter who did not request ID; the CI used marked bills retained by the inspector as evidence. The inspector also said Tri Me lacked complete personnel records for the individual who made the sale, citing Caroline County rule 2.17(b) on employee records.

At the hearing, Young Woo acknowledged the sale occurred while staff were training employees in advance of a transfer of ownership; the board heard that the former licensee was retiring and that training had begun ahead of the formal license transfer. The board accepted that the business had a clean record for roughly 11 years but concluded the evidence established the two violations: the state statute prohibiting sale to persons under 21 and the county employee‑records rule.

Commissioners discussed penalties for each charge separately. For the underage sale (Annotated Code of Maryland, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article section 6‑304 and county rule 2.26) the board imposed a $500 fine, noting the longstanding clean record and the transitional ownership circumstances. For the employee‑records violation (Caroline County rule 2.17(b)) the board voted to send a letter of reprimand to Tri Me Warehouse and to the incoming licensee, advising both parties to maintain required employee documentation.

The board required the licensee to pay the imposed fine plus an administrative fee within the statutory timeframe and directed staff to prepare the written order documenting the penalties and the procedures for appeal.

Board members emphasized the county’s expectation that license holders maintain up‑to‑date employee records, particularly during ownership transfers, and encouraged prompt compliance to avoid future enforcement.