Caitlin O’Connor (left) and Jed Jenny are part of a group of nine employees who bought The Wine Source in Hampden just two months ago. The group now worries about competition from big box retailers. Photo by Bryan P. Sears.
Jed Jenny and Caitlin O’Connor have been in business for themselves for roughly two months and now face an unexpected worry — a push for legislation in the General Assembly next year that could expand sales of beer and wine in Maryland.
The pair are part of a group of nine employees who bought The Wine Source, a Hampden retailer that sells beer, wine, spirits and specialty foods.
“I worked for Wine Source for 19 years, and it’s been a great opportunity,” said Jenny, who started stocking shelves and making deliveries for the store in 2005. “We’re all very passionate about the industry and our products and what we sell. We had an amazing opportunity when our former owner decided he wanted to retire and presented us with an opportunity to buy the business including a massive loan to pay off.”