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The Business Council of New York State, which represents over 3,500 businesses throughout New York State, strongly supports this legislation that would make a simple update to the current New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (ABC Law).
Several years ago, legislation was passed and signed into law that allowed bars and restaurants to open at 10 am on Sundays. Prior to the passage of this law, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores were prohibited from opening on Sunday before 12 pm. The intent of the new law was to modernize the ABC Law and benefit consumers. Often a consumer would dine at a restaurant for Sunday Brunch only to find out that they could not purchase a drink until after 12 pm. This made little sense when juxtaposed with the law allowing consumers to purchase beer before 12 pm at their local convenience or grocery store. Thus, the law was changed. When passed, however, a corresponding change was not made for liquor stores. This bill simply aligns liquor stores with the same privileges offered to bars and restaurants.
As part of the 2022-2023 New York State Budget, language was passed into law creating the ABC Law Revision Commission. The Commission would consist of members in each sector of New York’s alcohol and beverage industry as well as representatives from state agencies. The Business Council was a member of the Commission and worked with other Commission members to explore issues delineated in the legislation. As part of our discussion, allowing liquor stores to open at 10 am was one of the numerous issues discussed. It should be noted that the proposal to allow liquor stores to open at 10 am on Sunday passed with a unanimous vote. Thus, the proposal was approved by every sector of the alcohol and beverage industry, including representatives of the liquor store industry.
Since this issue is roundly supported by all sectors of the industry, and we believe that it provides additional help to business owners as well as benefits consumers, The Business Council of New York State strongly supports this bill.