BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – The restaurant industry is making a last-ditch effort to sway Albany leaders and make to-go alcohol sales permanent.
The New York State Restaurant Association credited the ability to buy alcohol from a restaurant and take it home, a rule made by the governor's office at the height of the pandemic, as a reason why they stayed afloat. The rule is only in effect until July 5 due to the extension of the governor's pandemic measures and not permanent.
"It's been a great benefit to us and it's a much needed avenue for the restaurants who are still in serious trouble right now getting out of the experience of the last year," Dan Garvey, General Manager at East Aurora's Roycroft Inn, said.
Garvey said it's benefitted them when it comes to nightly specials, such as offering beer or wine with a food as a special. He credited the policy as a reason why employees were retained.
"It could go away," he said. "That would be a huge problem for us if we can't get this legislation to pass and stay law, we're going to experience great issues in our revenue streams and who knows what will happen to the restaurants who are on the edge right now."
NYSRA said the liquor store lobby is a roadblock to its legalization and argued that their sales increased by 38% while restaurants alcohol sales plummeted nearly 60%.
