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Gov. Hochul Implements New Alcohol Laws In New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul Implements New Alcohol Laws In New York State

New York's updated alcohol laws will impact store hours and brewer's licenses

By Ireland Walker

Ireland Walker: Nearly 35,000 acres of New York land is made up of vineyards, and it takes thousands of liquor stores to sell those crops. This month the state governor changed a century old law that was holding back liquor store managers like Mike Spinelli from making money.

Mike Spinelli: We’ve already talked about it, so were gonna switch up our, we’re gonna open early, were not gonna do the late as much just because I feel like the consumption on Sundays will slow down as you go on later on in the day just because, most people have to work Monday.

Walker: The bill works to loosen restrictions on alcohol sales in all kinds of ways, but Spinelli says their already considering one of them, and expanding their hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Spinelli: It will definitely help for sure, especially around the holidays for us because I do have to turn away some people when I’m here before we open on Sundays and I just have to explain to them, this is the law like I’m sorry its the law, I can’t let you in until noon.

Walker: Brewers in New York are able to forgo the old annual licensing renewal process and are now only required to renew their licenses not one, not two, but every three years.

Walker: One farmer in Skaneateles, Keegan Byrne, supplies wheat and corn to a world market distributor, and says the bill will not affect individual farmers who harvest crops used in alcohol because they are often expanding their crops and land anyway.

Keegan Byrne: I don’t think I’ll be putting more land into production for these certain crops unless I see a really big jump in demand.

Walker: The bill has had too little time in place, to know what farmers and sellers are going to do with it, but it could mean more chances to buy your beer. Ireland Walker, NCC News.

CAMILLUS, N.Y. (NCC News)-  Liquor stores, brewers and alcohol buyers are newly faced with refreshed alcohol laws, thanks to a bill signed  by New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Oct. 14.

The new law loosens restrictions on liquor stores and extends the duration of licenses for brewers. According to the bill, liquor and wine stores can now operate during 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays, as well as sell and promote complementary gifts of certain wine and spirit products.  The bill comes with the governors aim to support small businesses and renovate the states liquor laws.

Floor Manager at Vine and Barrel Spirits, Mike Spinelli, has worked under the former and more strict rules for six years, and said that Vine and Barrel will be taking advantage of earlier opening times, especially during the holiday season.

“It will definitely help for sure, especially around the holidays for us because I do have to turn away some people when I’m here before we open on Sundays and I just have to explain to them, this is the law like I’m sorry its the law, I can’t let you in until noon,” Spinelli said.

According to the bill, state liquor authorities, assemblymen and senators are behind the new law and its impacts on family-owned businesses as well as on the economy.

 

Camillus, N.Y.- Vine and Barrel wine and spirits building sign.
Camillus, N.Y.- Vine and Barrel wine and spirits building sign.
© 2023 Ireland Walker

Local wheat and corn farmer, Keegan Byrne, said their may be a higher demand for grains that are used in alcohol because of the new law, but until then he is not going to expand or take on any new clients.

“I don’t think I’ll be putting more land into production for these certain crops unless I see a really big jump in demand,” Byrne said.

Byrne also said that the bill will not impact individual farmers like himself, who often increase their land and amount of crops anyway.

Other modernizations to the states alcohol laws pertains to the ability for the authorized usage of pressurized mixing and dispensing systems as well as lengthening the duration of a brewer’s license to three years, where as the previous regulations required an annual licenses renewal.

Liquor stores, bars and restaurants can already serve alcohol on Sundays, and take action on the new rules, as the law is in full effect.

 

 

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