D.C. pushes crackdown on underage alcohol sales

August 11, 2012

D.C. officials are trying to crack down on businesses that sell alcohol to minors without even asking for the customer's identification, but the move has drawn the ire of the city's influential restaurant industry.

Under new guidelines the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board hopes to implement, a first offense of failing to ask minors for proof of age would be classified as an "egregious" violation. Such an offense would prompt a mandatory fine of at least $2,000 and a possible suspension of a business's license to sell alcohol.

"A number of investigative reports that the board reviewed over a period of time involved instances where the establishments didn't bother to ask the minor for identification, and that was of concern," said Fred Moosally, the director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration. "They felt that a warning shouldn't be given if an establishment didn't ask a minor for ID."

The board unanimously supported the regulations in two votes earlier this year, but the D.C. Council still must approve the changes.

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham, whose chairs the council committee that oversees the city's alcohol laws, said he had not made a decision about whether to support the proposed guidelines.

"We want the laws to be effective," Graham said in a telephone interview from Uruguay. "We would want to look at this carefully."

To view the full story, click this link: http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-pushes-crackdown-on-underage-alcohol-sales/article/2504594#.UDPUb91lQf6 

Source: The Washington Examiner

Forsyth County: Liquor sales on Sunday not a boon, owners say

August 14, 2012

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - For Linda Miller, of Cumming, allowing liquor stores to open on Sunday was a "brilliant" idea.

"We brought enough Yankees here to change the law," Miller joked. "I'd never thought I'd see the day they would change it."

And although it's been convenient for drinkers, stores that sell alcohol have had mixed results.

Ever since voters in Forsyth approved the Sunday sales of alcohol, many local vendors who sell beer and wine have not seen a spike in business - just more expenses.

Beginning March 18, liquor stores in the county were given the green light to sell alcohol on Sundays.

At the Beverage World-Cumming, 745 Lanier 400 Parkway, closing the doors on Sunday is no longer an option.

With competing supermarkets and convenience stores, places that sell liquor say they need any competitive edge they can get.

"It's been kind of busy, but it has been stealing business from Saturday night," said a Beverage World employee, who did not want to give his name. "People would come in on Saturday night for the things they wanted on Sunday. We are getting the same amount of sales and it's just more hours we have to be open."

To view the full story, click this link: http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-COMMUNITY-NEWS-c-2012-08-14-194580.114126-sub-Liquor-sales-on-Sunday-not-a-boom-owners-say.html

Source: NorthFulton.com

August 19, 2012

A majority of New Yorkers want Mayor Michael Bloomberg to keep his hands off their soda, but when it comes to booze, they're OK with him making an early last call.

About 56% of New Yorkers said it would be a good idea for Bloomberg to crack down on alcohol abuse, while about 54% of Gothamites said they opposed his plan to ban sugary drinks greater than 16 ounces, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week.

Although the mayor has not announced a definite plan to restrict booze, he's rumored to be eyeing some sort of action.

In January, the city was considering a plan that would limit alcohol-related advertising and the number of bars and restaurants that could sell booze, but the mayor's office dropped the proposal.

Bloomberg has made the pursuit of public health initiatives, many of which have polarized the city, a staple of his time in office.

"Bloomberg is a guy that feels the normal mayor stuff, like taking out the garbage, is not the end of his duties," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

The mayor's office declined to discuss the poll.

"The administration uses science and research to inform policy decisions, not what's politically popular or unpopular," a Bloomberg spokeswoman said in a statement.

New Yorkers of all ages approved of a hypothetical plan to curb alcohol in the city. One-quarter of all participants didn't have an opinion, according to the poll.

To view the full story, click this link:http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/nyers-ok-with-city-taking-initiative-against-booze-abuse-poll-1.3914447 

Source: AMNY

Kentucky: Northern Kentucky liquor store to appeal ruling allowing spirits sales in groceries

August 20, 2012

A Northern Kentucky liquor store operator will appeal a federal judge's ruling that Kentucky law allowing liquor and wine sales in drug stores but not grocery stores is unconstitutional.

Ken Handmaker, who represents The Party Source of Bellevue, declined to offer any grounds for the appeal until U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II issues his final order, which is expected Tuesday.

In a conference Monday with attorneys in the case, Heyburn said he'll enter his final order Tuesday, but hold off enforcement for 15 days. That would give the state or Party Source time to file a motion to keep his ruling on hold even longer until the appeal is decided.

The upshot for consumers is that they still don't know exactly when they might see wine and whiskey in the grocery aisles.

Dick Brown, a spokesman for the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control department, said no decision has been made yet on whether the state will appeal.

To view the full story, click this link:http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120820/BUSINESS/308200066/Northern-Kentucky-liquor-store-appeal-ruling-allowing-spirits-sales-groceries?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome 

Source: The Courier-Journal