tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post2454912283364372905..comments2024-03-28T13:58:37.846-04:00Comments on The Passionate Foodie: Rant: Eliminating The Liquor License Cap? Richard Auffreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-68526156696443019692013-07-16T20:16:37.424-04:002013-07-16T20:16:37.424-04:00As a holder of a no value liquor license in Kendal...As a holder of a no value liquor license in Kendall Sq, I can understand the frustration of those who have invested in value licenses but I should point out that no value licenses serve their purpose in certain communities. In my neighborhood, as I sure you are aware, there has been a huge push to develop the area and entice restaurants to set up shop. To a potential business owner, without such an incentive being offered, it is unlikely that Kendall Sq would be the dynamic area that it is now. Because there were no existing restaurant available for purchase, we have all been in the position that we've had to build from scratch. HVAC,kitchen equipment etc is prohibitively expensive. To be required to purchase a liquor license on top of that would essentially knock most of us out of the game. Currently, the license commission is attempting to double the annual fee and add a hefty fee in addition every 3 years. Personally, I would prefer to have a value license because what I will pay over the course of my lease will amount to close to the purchase value of a regular license. I firmly believe that if a no value license was not an option, the city would be struggling to develop this neighborhood.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05563517418572090121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-59523203755049698492013-07-13T09:43:28.108-04:002013-07-13T09:43:28.108-04:00Thanks for such a great article.
liquor license ...Thanks for such a great article. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nyliquorlicensenow.com/" rel="nofollow">liquor license ny</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11733560294257886247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-26850283043400619242013-07-05T00:26:22.585-04:002013-07-05T00:26:22.585-04:00And 400K is not a barrier to entry?And 400K is not a barrier to entry?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-85683079287126742082013-07-01T13:42:59.532-04:002013-07-01T13:42:59.532-04:00Plain and simple, caring about the owners of exist...Plain and simple, caring about the owners of existing businesses with liquor licenses is a human thing to do, not a "shill" thing. Ignoring the harm that will occur to those businesses is unsympathetic to their plight, uncaring of what damage can occur to a number of small businesses.<br /><br />Those who want the cap totally lifted, saying it is better for business, still have been unable to offer any studies to support their call. There are plenty of allegations, but nothing based upon a foundation of evidence.<br /><br />I agree that more liquor licenses are needed. I simply see a different path to accomplishing that goal, while protecting the interests of existing businesses. That would stimulate competition.<br /><br />Though your own solution is interesting, there might be a significant issue dependent on the amount of "mandatory fees." One could say that those fees are a "barrier to entry" and "anti-competitive." Richard Auffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-285321907129861902013-07-01T13:31:57.756-04:002013-07-01T13:31:57.756-04:00The cap is anti-competitive and a barrier to entry...The cap is anti-competitive and a barrier to entry. In most other contexts, it would be illegal under anti-trust laws. It must go. The government should not be using the force of law to guarantee profits to private enterprise.<br /><br />Plain and simple. Whining about "1000 existing businesses" is pointless, unless you are a shill for them. Removing the cap is better for consumers, business and society.<br /><br />Now here's how you do it: liquor licenses should be more like driver's licenses: non-transferable and subject to fees and revocation.<br /><br />Liquor license mandatory fees should be assessed to pay for the cost of the externalities imposed on communities by consumption of alcohol. That means paying for emergency services, enforcement, and clean-up in the community where the license is issued.<br /><br />The new system kicks in after a certain date, and new applicants must apply for a license and pass qualifications, and pay the fees. They must uphold the rules and regulations of the license terms in order to maintain possession.<br /><br />To ease the transition, current license-holders have their existing license grandfathered and converted into the new system. The value of the license at last transfer is assessed and a percentage of that value is credited to the holder in the form of exemption from fees for some number of years.<br /><br />Everyone gets something. The city and the citizens get a healthier, more competitive market in the long run. The existing license holders receive a good value for their investment. And the police and emergency services finally get a source of funding which naturally increases in the places where it is needed most -- instead of being stretched thin.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027332620204904993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-52709187406162369922013-07-01T12:38:20.832-04:002013-07-01T12:38:20.832-04:00John:
As I said in my post, raising the limit i...John:<br /> As I said in my post, raising the limit is a good idea, but completely removing the cap would hurt too many businesses. A measured response would best serve the needs of the community. <br />There is no immediate for an unlimited amount of liquor licenses. A small to moderate raise would serve the needs at this time.Richard Auffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-15990928161962086762013-07-01T10:44:17.772-04:002013-07-01T10:44:17.772-04:00I think you're right that removing the cap com...I think you're right that removing the cap completely might not be the best call (although if I understand correctly, just because there are infinite license does NOT mean that anyone applying for a license would get one - still hoops to jump through; and already-established businesses would have a leg up).<br /><br />But it should be re-examined. It wouldn't just help outer neighborhoods as Pressley's arguing. I work in the theater field in town and it's damn near impossible to have a drink when you go to a show, because theaters can't get even a malt/wine license. But the ability to sell a beer at a play is not going to put any bars out of business (or contribute to Irish drunkenness). I think there are many such small businesses where patrons expect to get a drink as part of a larger experience, and can't because of the current cap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-41737587641634139052013-07-01T10:07:24.106-04:002013-07-01T10:07:24.106-04:00EJ, there currently isn't a cap on hamburger j...EJ, there currently isn't a cap on hamburger joints or nail salons, so I don't see where my reasoning has anything to do with them. I simply don't want existing businesses to take a significant financial hurt when there are other options available. Hurting 1000+ businesses is not an acceptable trade off.Richard Auffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-55107167460161270622013-07-01T09:57:55.467-04:002013-07-01T09:57:55.467-04:00The reason to keep the license cap seems to have n...The reason to keep the license cap seems to have nothing to do with the reason the cap was instituted in the first place. Under your reasoning, we should also have a cap for the number of hamburger joints that should operate, the number of nail salons we should allow, etc.E J Kalafarskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14071979476565937609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-81938472473726563042013-07-01T09:28:29.102-04:002013-07-01T09:28:29.102-04:00Boston must shed it's laughably parochial imag...Boston must shed it's laughably parochial image if we're serious about becoming a true residential city and attracting world class talent. I don't aspire for us to be New York, or Vegas. But it will be very hard to convince anyone to pay $2000/sqft for an apartment in a city where they cannot get a sandwich after 10pm, and cannot enjoy a drink anywhere. Frederick Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608810132703009856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-22196197548865299862013-07-01T09:24:27.041-04:002013-07-01T09:24:27.041-04:00Agreed that discussing the issue is an important s...Agreed that discussing the issue is an important step. I don't see Ayanna's petition actually getting passed. There just doesn't seem to be enough support for it anywhere.<br /><br />Happy Hour is another volatile issue, and when the matter was discussed when the issue of casinos arose, most restaurants/bars were against the idea of reinstating Happy Hour. <br /><br />Richard Auffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-26925527740393999642013-07-01T09:20:37.883-04:002013-07-01T09:20:37.883-04:00Richard - I think that outright elimination wouldn...Richard - I think that outright elimination wouldn't be fair to the many businesses who paid, in good faith, their fees. A gradual phase out might be more fair, or appropriate compensation. Could the distributors be approached to contribute towards a large fund? At least the issue has been raised and is being discussed. <br /><br />Next step: happy hour. I'm not 17 and I don't need the Neo-Prohibitionist Mommies from MADD dictating the price I should pay for a drink after work just because their precious Dylan or Dakota was irresponsible. Frederick Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608810132703009856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-75030368719843659202013-07-01T09:15:35.521-04:002013-07-01T09:15:35.521-04:00Hi Frederick:
Do you think the liquor cap shoul...Hi Frederick:<br /> Do you think the liquor cap should just be eliminated, hurting 1000 existing businesses? Or do you think a lesser option would work better?<br /><br /> I agree changes need to be made, but I don't think a blanket removal is fair, just or necessary.Richard Auffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03948647697847819742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405633513402883204.post-15637867840203813822013-07-01T09:08:22.621-04:002013-07-01T09:08:22.621-04:00As others have already explained, the roots of the...As others have already explained, the roots of the existing liquor laws lie not (directly) in Boston's Puritan heritage but in the racist, anti-Irish sentiment that dominated post- Prohibition Boston. For that reason alone they should be re-examined.<br /><br />One observation from a world traveler - other cities in other states and countries have businesses which are thriving without this law. No doubt, Boston is special. But are we really so unique that businesses cannot prosper without the protection of racist and oppressive laws?Frederick Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608810132703009856noreply@blogger.com