Cheers!<\/p>\n
A business coalition is launching a campaign to loosen nearly century-old Prohibition-era state laws that make it harder to sell booze in New York.<\/p>\n
The \u201cCheers for Change\u201d push is being propelled by the Business Council of New York State, liquor merchants, bars and restaurants and hospitality leaders.<\/p>\n
The Business Council of New York State is promoting a \u201cCheers for Change\u201d initiative to loosen New York\u2019s state laws on selling alcohol. fesenko \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, New York would:<\/p>\n
Relax its 200-Foot Law, which can block merchants selling alcohol from opening near a school or house of worship.<\/p>\n
Eliminate or loosen its 500-Foot Law, which makes it harder for restaurants, bars and clubs to open near each other even in commercial districts.<\/p>\n
Allow more retailers to peddle booze.<\/p>\n
Let licensees own more than one liquor store.<\/p>\n
Revise \u201ctied-house restrictions\u201d to allow applicants with minor or passive interests in one tier of the industry to be licensed in another tier where there is no realistic threat of anti-competitive behavior.<\/p>\n
Many of the state\u2019s liquor rules date back to the years immediately after Prohibition ended in 1934.<\/p>\n
Yet nearly a century later, businesses and consumers are operating in an entirely different 21st century economy, the coalition said.<\/p>\n
Some of the old regulations have been updated<\/a>, but much more needs to be done, the group said.<\/p>\n Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said the proposals would help New York\u2019s regulations reflects \u201ctoday\u2019s economy and consumer demand.\u201d Pacific Press\/LightRocket via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cNew York has made real progress, and we applaud Governor Hochul, the Legislature and the State Liquor Authority for beginning the work of modernizing the state\u2019s alcohol laws,\u201d said Paul Zuber, executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, in a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cBut there is still a long way to go,\u201d he said. \u201cNew York\u2019s hospitality economy, small businesses and consumers deserve a liquor law framework that reflects the realities of 2026 \u2014 not 1934.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said, \u201cUpdating the 200-Foot and 500-Foot Laws and modernizing tied-house restrictions will remove unnecessary barriers to opening and growing restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses, ensuring New York\u2019s regulatory framework reflects today\u2019s economy and consumer demand.\u201d<\/p>\n Updating the state\u2019s liquor law will help grocers and eateries, as well, the coalition said.<\/p>\n