Caroline's in Denton found guilty of refilling alcohol containers; fined $250

The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on Feb. 26 found Z Cooks LLC, trading as Caroline's in Denton, guilty of violating county rules by refilling or reusing alcoholic-beverage containers and assessed a $250 fine plus the standard administrative fee.

Inspector Trey reported that on Nov. 16, 2024 he observed a Facebook post from Caroline's in Denton showing two bottles of Teremana (Teremana) tequila that contained additional ingredients and were labeled “c, apple and pumpkin,” with the restaurant’s signage visible in the background. Trey said he followed up with an incident inspection at 406 Market Street and that owner Robin Zellers confirmed store-bought apple and pumpkin puree had been mixed into the tequila bottles.

Zellers told the board, "I take total fault. There's no excuse for it... I should've known you can't alter liquor bottles." She said the mixes were intended as samples and that customers were informed they were premixed. Kenneth Sellers Jr., who also testified, said the mixes were made with store-bought puree and that any previously infused bottles found from the prior owner had been disposed of after counsel from staff.

Trey and board members discussed state premix guidelines and public-health considerations; Trey said the health department had also been consulted about premix holding times. Commissioners said the facts supported the county charge under Rule 2.14 but that evidence suggested the act was not intended to deceive customers. The board voted to find the licensee guilty and to levy a $250 fine; the licensee has 30 days to pay or may appeal.

The board noted that premixing and the reuse of original-product bottles is prohibited by county regulation and that licensees must properly dispose of emptied containers and not serve alcohol from reused manufacturer bottles.