Big news in Washington State this week, folks! The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“WSLCB”) is going digital!...more
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill No. 688 into law, now known as Act 86 of 2024. This legislation introduces a major change to the state’s liquor laws by permitting the sale of...more
Effective August 9, 2024, a new Maine law has streamlined the application process for obtaining a license for the wholesale or retail sale of liquor. This will be especially helpful for any bar or restaurant seeking to obtain...more
Oregon liquor licensees, CAMP is here! Earlier this year, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (“OLCC”) began their phased launch of the state’s new digital Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program (CAMP) licensing...more
On December 14, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill No. 1096 into law, now known as Act 49 of 2023 (Act 49), which allows certain hotel licensees to apply to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to convert to...more
Throughout my career as a hospitality and liquor license lawyer, I have been on the front lines of many successes and challenges in the industry. From inception of the business through succession, I have learned from...more
The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November issue of the Capitol Connection....more
Alaska's Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) on Sept. 18, 2023, released the much-anticipated Alaska Alcohol and Cannabis Information System (AK-ACCIS), an online web portal that will allow entities to apply for, renew...more
We always recommend you regularly review your state liquor licenses to ensure you hold the correct licenses for your business needs. However, given recent feedback from California regulators, you may want to expedite such a...more
Looking for a lottery ticket that could win you a highly coveted and valuable liquor license? If so, and you have $100 to spare, then you too can apply for the state’s “quota” liquor license lottery....more
The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will accept quota beverage license drawing entries for 45 days starting on Aug. 21, 2023. This year, there are 89 licenses available in 30 counties ...more
Last week the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) released information regarding its 12th auction of expired restaurant licenses. This auction is expected to have a significant impact on the culinary landscape across...more
In Weis Mkts., Inc. v. Lancaster Twp., 248 A.3d 622 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2021), Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court decided that a municipality’s discretion to deny an intermunicipal liquor license transfer application is not unlimited...more
Running a bar or restaurant in Pennsylvania requires having a valid liquor license. This license enables you to serve alcohol to your customers, thereby improving their dining experience and increasing your revenue. However,...more
If you run a brewery, winery, or distillery, you'll want to hear what's new at the TTB. Under a new initiative, the TTB is poised to take a more enforcement-focused approach to permitting...more
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) will be auctioning 21 expired restaurant licenses on November 2, 2022. Sealed auction bids are due by October 31, 2022. The minimum bid for each license is $25,000.00....more
This week North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) announced the conclusion of a statewide operation resulting in hundreds of criminal charges against individuals and violation citations against ABC permitted businesses....more
If you are starting a food and beverage business that serves alcohol in Pennsylvania many questions come to mind: What type of license do I need? How do I purchase a liquor license? At what point do I need a lawyer?...more
Pummeled by the pandemic, but still standing, Arizona’s hospitality industry received a legislative boost on Monday, May 17, 2021, when the state legislature passed HB 2773, allowing Arizona restaurants and bars to sell...more
With positive cases of the novel coronavirus on the rise, the State of Florida is cracking down on violations of COVID-19 rules through its Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The DBPR is going after...more
On Monday, March 16, 2020, Governor Hogan, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, by executive order, ordered the closure of all Maryland bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms until such time as the state...more
There are no bars in North Carolina. No, it’s not the beginning to a country song. What most people consider a “bar,” the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission deems a private club. But that is about to change....more
To those in the hospitality industry, it’s no secret that Pennsylvania liquor licenses are tough to come by. Retail, or “R” liquor licenses, are the type typically associated with a full-service restaurant but are in short...more
As virtually everyone in the US alcohol beverage industry knows, last week the US Supreme Court handed down its opinion in Tennessee Wine and Spirits Retailers Assn. v. Thomas, S.Ct. No. 18-96 (June 26, 2019). Now that over a...more
In a decision with major implications for fans of wine, liquor, or free trade, the Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling that struck down a Tennessee law, which imposed certain residency requirements to operate retail liquor...more