The following is a statement from Chuck Moran, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, in response to the Pennsylvania Senate passing HB 327, a bill that would allow R and H liquor licenses (taverns and licensed restaurants) to sell mixed spirit drinks to go with certain size, container, and time of day limitations.

 

With every day that passes, Pennsylvania’s small business taverns and licensed restaurants move closer to financial ruin. These establishments were among the first businesses to either close or limit services as part of Governor Wolf’s Business Closure Order to fight the spread of COVID-19, and have been told they will not be allowed to resume operations until their counties enter the green phase. Business owners have been deprived of their operations and income, and are facing permanent closure, while many employees have lost their jobs.

Today, the Pennsylvania Senate joined the House of Representatives in almost unanimously throwing a lifeline to help keep taverns and restaurants from sinking faster. HB 327 would allow taverns and licensed restaurants to sell mixed spirit drinks to go with a few limitations for quantity, container, and time of day. This gives establishments one more small revenue stream to help them survive.

Every little bit counts. HB 327 in combination with other business saving opportunities can make a difference.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association thanks Senators Joe Scarnati, Jake Corman, Jay Costa, Pat Stefano, and Jim Brewster and the rest of the Senate for their quick bi-partisan response, and support of Pennsylvania’s neighborhood taverns and licensed restaurants.

We urge Governor Wolf to sign this bill as quickly as possible so that our Members can soon offer mixed liquor and spirits drinks to go.

 

#     #     #

 

About the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is a statewide association based in Harrisburg, representing small business taverns and licensed restaurants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association formed after Prohibition in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons.