we want beer........

I don't understand the state of Utah wanting to change the liquor laws yet again!.............Because prohibition worked so well?  Here are some of the new changes...... ...

(updated last month....) 

• Converting 40 tavern only licenses into 15 full restaurant licenses and 25 limited restaurant licenses (beer and wine only)
• Allowing a hotel guest to order one drink at a time through room service
• Permitting alcohol to be sold beginning at 11:30 a.m. (a change from noon for liquor and wine and 10:00 a.m. for beer)
• Increasing the fees for liquor licenses (for instance the initial and renewal fees for a limited restaurant license increased to $750 and $550 respectively)
• Banning the sale of mini-kegs
• Allowing existing licensees to sell liquor licenses, although not until after July 31, 2012, when that portion of the law goes into effect
• Creating a reception license for reception centers larger than 5,000 square feet that derive no more than 30% of gross sales from the sale of alcohol
• Eliminating any doubt that an establishment cannot allow drink specials
• Requiring dining club licenses to derive at least 60% of gross sales from food
• Increasing enforcement

More than anything I really don't understand the drink special law.  The reason why some dive bars make money is because of there weekly drink specials.  The known drink specials during the week attract a crowd putting there bar on the map.......for example Tuesday 2 dollar beer at VFW, Wednesday 2 dollar cocktails at cheers to you, 5.50 pitchers on Thursday at Cheers to you. Where as if they didn't have there popular drink specials i would probably resort to going to the bar with the best patio.  This will do nothing put put the smaller dive bars out of business also causing rester-aunts and other business's in the surrounding areas to loose business. Even if you don't drink the money that is being made here is HELPING our economy. 

In other news....nine liquor stores targeted for closing this summer will most likely stay open.... at least until February of next year.  The store hours will not be cut, as first i was told was going to happen, and over 100 liquor store employees will be keeping there jobs.  However, two smaller Utah County liquor stores will most likely close along with the salt lake city store on Main street. 

"I have always supported keeping our profitable state liquor stores open, and my budget called for zero cuts in DABC’s budget," Governor Herbert said in a statement. "After the Legislature cut DABC’s budget, we identified $1.4 million in agency funds which could be reallocated to delay closure of some of the state liquor stores. I waited to instruct DABC to use the money until we had reached an agreement with legislative leadership."

The new money that was found came after thousands of residents of salt lake, summit, and Washington county complained about the economic problems this cut could have on our communities. Liquor sales put more than $100 million into state and local treasuries each year!!!  

Come on Utah....lets progress....not regress.....:) 

I guess well see what happens......

Eat, Drink be Merry...make money