Kingdom Sanctuary is one of the largest churches in Prince George’s County. It’s also Hampton Liquor Store’s landlord.
The Rev. Anthony Maclin’s 5,000-member church purchased Hampton Mall Complex through its for-profit arm, Kingdom Management LLC. Maclin renamed the mall Kingdom Square in 2004 and joined a growing number of mega-churches around the country that have expanded their enterprises from saving souls to making money.
“There’s this thought that the church is supposed to operate on some vow of poverty, and I didn’t see that in the Bible,” Maclin said.
He touts big-name tenants like Staples, Home Depot, Dollar Expo and IHOP as revitalizing what was once a half-vacant strip mall plagued with drug sales, prostitution and drunks.
Hampton Liquors receives fainter praise than the national chains looming over it. Only an existing lease keeps the business there at all, Maclin said. And as soon as the lease expires in two and half years, so will the store’s welcome.
Owner Seung Kim sighed at a mention of the church. “They’re not great for business,” he said from behind a case of wine stuck with neon orange discount stickers. “And now we’re closed on Sundays.”
Kim estimated 30 percent of his customer base has left since the church moved in, partially because of the more watchful eye of the church-employed Blessed Towing.
And while Hampton Liquors remains the official name, Kim said the church insisted “wine and spirits” be the only insignia outside the store. “They didn’t want the liquor,” he said.
Dr. John Vaughan, a Bolivar, Mo.-based mega-church consultant, said purchasing malls is increasingly common for large congregations, especially those in black communities.
“In the black church, the ones that are opening stores tend to be in hard-core, high-crime areas,” he said. “Oftentimes these malls create a Christian city, an oasis where people can feel safe.”
Even so, some in the community would rather the church stayed within its walls.
“To me, they bought this for an investment, and now they want to crucify the liquor store,” said John Pendergrass, a longtime patron of Hampton Liquors. “I wonder, are the members getting anything from this?”
Though refusing to reveal his salary, Maclin scoffs at any hint of impropriety.
“The Bible says if we sow into it, should we not reap from it?” he said. “If we bear the brunt for it to turn around, should we not reap from it?”
