Local restaurants are showing their support for a new state bill that would allow an extension of ‘alcohol to go’ orders past June.
The executive order by Governor Cuomo temporarily allows restaurants to sell sealed alcoholic beverages for takeout or delivery orders, but only if the customer orders food too. However, the rule stops once the state’s emergency order expires in June.
Jason Snyder, the CEO of Blu Wolf Bistro in Rochester, says it has helped his business during these tough times.
“It’s been a huge help for the time that we have been closed to help offset the lack of regular business. We are an extremely busy restaurant. So to just be shutdown, we have a lot of people that are currently out of work, but the alcohol sales have helped to keep more people employed,” said Snyder. “Because of the alcohol sales, we need bartenders during the busy shifts to make the drinks…. So we have had more people work. Maybe not directly making or using the alcohol but because of the revenue we have been able to increase our staff on hand.”
The New York State Restaurant Association says the Governor’s order is helping restaurants stay afloat. A downstate Senator is now proposing a bill to extend the order by two years.
“Alcohol-to-go has certainly been helpful in the past few weeks and we hope to see that continue as we start to reopen,” said Melissa Fleischut, the President and CEO of the NYS Restaurant Association.
Peter Jines, owner of Jines Restaurant in Rochester, says his restaurant has been selling beers, wines and mimosas to go with orders and believes the income from alcohol sales can help his business even after the PAUSE order is lifted.
“We are still going to have restrictions on social distancing. We are still going to have restrictions on occupancy… We still anticipate doing takeout and delivery and being able to upsell with those types of items would be great,” said Jines. “It’s helps without a doubt. Helps get that check balance average up a little bit. You get a greater spend per person or per order. Of course it helps.”
Snyder believes the extension could also have a ripple effect with local breweries and wineries that also sell their products in restaurants and could trickle down to the local economy.
“It’s good for not just my business but it’s good for the other local breweries in town. It’s keeping the economy going during this tough time,” said Snyder. “I think it’s great. I think the states should allow it permanently. It’s a huge bonus. It’s great for the customer. It’s great for the business and I’m sure the extra sales and tax revenue is good for the state. So its seems like a win-win as along as everyone is safe and responsible with it.”
Snyder says the revenue from alcohol sales are also help preparing his business for the future.
“We have spent a lot of time wondering what the future of could look like both in cleanliness, food, beverage and the liquor sales are a huge part of it. That would be a huge relief to our business and worrying if we knew those liquor sales would be there. We need those sales for the extra sanitation supplies for the extra PPE we will be using for our guests and for our staff,” said Snyder.
According to the state website, the bill is in commission. There has not been a date set yet for a vote on the bill.
— 13 WHAM