PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey residents will soon be able to get alcohol delivered right to their door.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a special ruling on Friday allowing third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Instacart, and Amazon Flex to deliver alcoholic beverages, including cocktails "to go,” from restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to customers' doorsteps.
Delivery services wishing to participate will be subject to an application process to ensure delivery workers are certified to handle alcohol, and trained on refusing delivery to anyone who is underage or visibly intoxicated.
Delivery workers will need to also undergo background checks including criminal history, and applicants must offer sample formal agreements with delivery workers and retail licensees.
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The announcement is coming with mixed reactions. Andrew Chambers of Blackwood says it can work, as long as rules are followed.
"I think it's good for the convenience,” said Chambers. “I think they need to be leery about underage drinking, and making sure they're carding people properly."
Gary Brady, manager of Canal's Discount Liquor in Pennsauken, is not a fan.
"It defeats the purpose of New Jersey's low prices. There's going to be an upcharge, whether it be for the gas, [or how] the delivery person's going to have to pay a yearly permit fee, so I think that's going to defeat the purposes of the prices in New Jersey,” said Brady. The yearly permit costs $2,000, according to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
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"People like to shop,” Brady added.
“They like to peruse. They like to make decisions. They want help from our staff on making the decisions, and they like to see the bottles and make their decision in person."
Applications for permits will be available starting on Oct. 1.