PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Councilmembers gathered Tuesday to implement legislation with the stated goal to address the health and well-being of Prince George’s County.
Residents also weighed in on the proposed legislation, highlighting one issue in particular: too many 24-hour convenience stores and tobacco shops are in their neighborhoods.
“I’m personally from Suitland, Maryland, to be exact,” said Antonio Lingo. “We have a lot of tobacco shops right across the Suitland Metro Station. It actually brings a lot of crime. It’s not a good look.”
In response to the complaints, the Council put forward a new law designed to clamp down on convenience stores coming into communities.
The new law now requires that any new convenience store can’t come within three miles of one that’s already set up. All convenience stores are also required to close by 10 p.m. countywide.
Although some support the measure for the sake of public safety, others warn that targeting an entire sector retail could cause more problems down the road.
“This proposal would effectively shut down future development of standalone, non-gas-station convenience stores in Prince George’s County,” said Sarah Price of the Maryland Retailers Alliance.
In the end, the Council voted unanimously to enact the measure. The new law will not apply to convenience stores that have a permit to operate before the year ends. It also doesn’t apply to gas stations. The law is set to go into effect Jan. 3, 2025.