Build Your Dream Business in Florida

Business owners everywhere are living the life right now in Florida. There's been a steady increase in Florida tourism over the last 6 years and it doesn't look like it'll be slowing down anytime soon. Florida received around 113 million tourists last year, those numbers include both domestic and international visitors.

So, if you've ever planned on starting a business, now is the time! Florida has a booming industry and it employed nearly 1.4 million people just for tourism alone last year. If the last 6 years has been any indication that business is good, it's time you start really thinking about whether you want to work that 9-5 you hate or be in the service industry working with interesting people from all over the world.

Setting up a business is not as hard as many people think. Yes, there's work involved, but so many people have paved their way in Florida that there's no reason why you can't either. Building a business is part of the American Dream and doing it in Florida where the weather is always great gives you just another reason why maybe it's time to get ahead and make a name for yourself.

If you're looking into opening your business in the service industry, then definitely consider getting an alcohol license. So many tourist come to relax and drinking is no exception! Many local business owners have seen an increase in the lunch rush that seems to last longer and longer than usual. More staff have been hired to compensate, but there's only so much an owner can do before they look to expand. Since Florida is sunny all year round, there's never a shortage of foreigners looking to escape the brutal winter or come down for vacation during spring and summer.

Some people have their reservations about being a business owner, but you know, it doesn't have to be risky. You can still keep your day job and work nights or hire someone you trust to manage the business while you're away. This gives you a safety net as you try to build your business while still having an income hit your bank balance every month. There are many ways you can structure and build your business in a smart way where you do not take on so much risk.

Here at Liquor License FL, we help business owners find the best option for them. So, if you're looking to get your business license in a timely manner or within a certain budget, then feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We have friendly staff ready to take your answers and help you build the dream business you've always wanted. We always strive to answer any questions you might have about what you need for the business and we can help you find the right liquor license for your county as well!

Liquor License Locators LLC

866-470-8881

info@LiquorLicenseFL.com

Wakulla County Liquor License Available

Limited availability Liquor License available for use in Wakulla County. Please call for more details!!

239-205-4770

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Gov. Scott vetoes bill to tear down ‘liquor wall’

View Original Article HERE.

The Florida Legislature narrowly approved a bill that would allow distilled spirits to be sold in grocery stores, but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed it. Yuriko Nakao Bloomberg

BUSINESS

MAY 24, 2017 8:50 PM

Gov. Scott vetoes bill to tear down ‘liquor wall’

BY JIM TURNER

News Service of Florida

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TALLAHASSEE 

Pointing to concerns about preserving small-business jobs, Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday vetoed a heavily debated and lobbied measure that supporters said would repeal a relic of the nation’s emergence from Prohibition.

The so called “liquor wall” law, which requires hard spirits to be sold in separate facilities from most retail goods, will remain in place after Scott’s veto of the repeal bill. The veto was a victory for independent liquor-store owners, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Publix Super Markets, which fought the bill during the legislative session that ended May 8.

Scott’s decision on the proposal (SB 106) also ends for now the noisy legislative battles about the issue. Supporters of eliminating the law, including retailers Target, Costco and Walmart, argued that a repeal would promote free markets and customer convenience.

“We have made tremendous progress in the last four years, and there is a clear momentum in Florida for this common-sense approach to liquor sales,” said Michael Williams, a spokesman for the group Floridians for Fair Business Practices, which supported the repeal. “While Governor Scott ultimately chose to veto Senate Bill 106, we look forward to working with state leaders in the future to finally put an end to this outdated, Prohibition-era law.”

Scott, in a letter accompanying his first vetoed bill of the year, said the proposal’s impact on small businesses outweighed his desire to further cut regulations.

“I carefully reviewed this bill and I have met with stakeholders on both sides,” Scott said. “I listened closely to what they had to say and I understand that both positions have merit. Nevertheless, I have heard concerns as to how this bill could affect many small businesses across Florida. I was a small business owner and many locally owned businesses have told me how this bill will impact their families and their ability to create jobs.”

Opponents of the bill argued that a repeal would hurt small liquor stores, eliminate jobs, result in a greater ability for minors to get liquor and lead to more impulse-buying of alcohol.

“We applaud Governor Scott for saving hundreds of Florida small businesses that employ thousands of Floridians, while at the same time keeping safeguards in place for minors,” ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Chief Executive Officer and President Charles Bailes said in a prepared statement.

Along with the independent liquor stores, Publix has been involved because it operates stand-alone liquor stores in many of the same shopping centers as its grocery stores. Meanwhile, retailers such as Target and Walmart — battling online sales — have been looking to sell liquor in the same stores where shoppers pick up groceries and other goods.

The bill was highly controversial, passing the Senate in a 21-17 vote and the House by a 58-57 margin.

Members of the Florida Independent Spirits Association, which also opposed the repeal, mobilized after the bill received final legislative approval April 26.

“More than 1,000 letters and 3,000 petitions from around the state were delivered to the governor with the message that vetoing this bill would save our Florida small retailers and jobs that help our local economies,” Florida Independent Spirits Association President Rory Eggers said in a release thanking Scott.

In addition to repealing the Depression-era law, the bill would have prohibited new package stores from being licensed within 1,000 feet of schools; required small bottles, 6.8 ounces or less, to be displayed only behind the counter; and required that checkout clerks under the age of 18 be supervised by people 18 or older when alcohol is purchased.

To help Publix with its existing leases, the bill would have staggered the repeal, limiting the percentage of liquor that could have been stocked in chain stores over a four-year period.

Scott had until Wednesday to act on the bill. As the deadline approached, he offered little as to what he would do.

Scott on Tuesday scheduled a telephone call with Walmart President and CEO Greg Foran and a meeting at the Capitol with Bailes of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

Bailes said after his meeting he had no indication how Scott would handle the bill.

“I think he’ll do the best thing for the state,” Bailes said. “He gave me the opportunity to state what our position is, which hasn’t changed, and he was very gracious about it.”

On Wednesday, Scott attended the summer board meeting for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, which was part of the coalition pushing to tear down the wall.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article152508594.html#storylink=cpy

Retailers, Consumers Make Final Push for Governor to Sign SB 106

View Original Article Here

by Brian Burgess | May 19, 2017

As of mid-day Wednesay, Governor Rick Scott‘s office has received more than 4,500 contacts from citizens urging him to sign Senate Bill 106, which would allow retailers to sell spirits within their stores instead of forcing consumers to exit the retailer and enter a liquor store from a seperate entrance. Including contacts with legislators, total outreach in favor of the bill is nearly 24,000 emails, calls or similar correspondence.

To boost the effort, the Center for Consumer Freedom launched a petition in support of the bill and is urging people to share the link with friends, supporters and on social media.

If the governor signs the bill, supporters say it will enhance Florida’s economy and empower customer choice, and will instilling free market principles in an industry that has been “dominated by governmental protectionism since Prohibition.

Floridians for Fair Business Practices, a coalition of retailers and consumers, says that the bill is not only business-friendly, but would also encourage more innovation and promote competition.

“Signing this legislation into law sends a message to businesses around the country that Florida is open for business for companies big and small and that free market principles are alive and well in the Sunshine State,” the group said in a press release.

It’s a similar argument made by Governor Rick Scott himself, when he signed the recent ridesharing legislation into law:

“Florida is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation because of our efforts to reduce burdensome regulations and encourage innovation and job creation across all industries, including transportation,” Scott said in a statement posted on his official website.

The group also pushed back against what they described as a “last minute attempt” by some to defeat the bill.

A push earlier this week by a Baptist group erroneously claimed that the bill would allow minors to have increased access to alcohol. But data from state regulators tell a different story. Since 2012, liquor stores and convenience stores have been cited for selling alcohol to minors 192 times. Not a single large retailer or grocery store was cited over that same period. Pouring even more cold water on such arguments, a national survey of minors showed that among those who drink alcohol, less than 6% say they got it from a retail establishment.

Then there is the specious argument from liquor store owners that SB 106 will force them out of business.

Yet in states with no wall and similar regulatory structures, large retailers, on average, hold less than 10% of the available liquor licenses and independent liquor stores are still thriving. And SB 106 does nothing to affect Florida’s current licensing quota system. Retailers that already possess a liquor license will be able to move spirits inside their main store, next to the beer and wine many already sell.

There are few, if any, instances where Governor Scott has vetoed legislation to keep a regulation in place just for the purpose of protecting a narrow market segment. Given the points in favor of signing SB 106, the Governor has every reason to sign it into law.

How Bad Is The Bill That's Been Passed on Visit Florida?

The tourism industry is freaking out over what the Florida House of Representatives voted for last week. If you're not in the know, there was an 80-35 vote to cut funds dramatically to Visit Florida tourism agency. They also placed restrictions on how the agency uses their money. This was due, in part, to the lack of transparency in Visit Florida's spending. A recent leak showed that they paid $1 million to the singer Pitbull for him to appear in Florida-related ads. 

The tourism industry in Florida reached an all time-high last year and so it makes sense why everyone in the tourism industry is concerned by what's happening. In fact, residents of Florida are also worried because Florida's tourism industry has been the leading tax revenue generator and job provider for the state. If that goes, so many of Florida's people will take a hit as well.

Ken Lawson, the CEO of Visit Florida, is more than aware of the impact his company has on Florida's economy and he does not take this hit lightly. In a response to criticisms of some of their past deals, the company has taken measures recommended by Go. Rick Scott to make the organization more transparent.

Several news outlets freaked out over the news by dubbing it the 'end of the tourism industry as we know it', basically. Should small business owners panic? No way! There are several things to this here and we shouldn't let the news dictate the energy of the situation. Are they creating a storm out of nothing? Not quite. Yes, it's serious news that Visit Florida has budget cuts, but this will not mean the end to the tourism industry. If anything, we will continue to see a steady increase in tourism numbers.

Visit Florida is a large organization. Although many might have mixed feelings about what their doing to the state, and what the company stands for, the fact remains that by cutting budget Visit Florida will be affected slightly, but not dramatically. Visit Florida has already made efforts to showcase their transparency and this is a step in the right direction. Ken Lawson is also no dummy and he knows that despite the bill passing, his company will rise again. Visit Florida will still be spending money on marketing, albeit not as much.

Advertisers are still interested in attracting down Florida tourists and those marketing campaigns will not stop. Even if Visit Florida were to disappear in a day, Florida still has two tourism leaders in their corner, Visit Orlando and Experience Kissimmee. What many news outlets forget is that Florida's tourism and marketing has invested interest from advertisers like Coca Cola and Disney and there's no way they're going to let Florida slip by the wayside.

Liquor License Locators LLC

866-470-8881

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Liquor Licenses Available

We currently have liquor licenses available in Dade and Broward Counties with financing available.

239-205-4770

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Many other Florida Counties also available!!

Where Are All the Margaritas?

If it's any indication over the last few years here in Florida, tourism marketing works. Last year, Florida saw an all-time high in tourists visiting their state and  it's not by accident. When you look at the fantastic blue sea, the events and activities Florida has to offer, it's wonder we've gotten the world's attention. Tourists from all over are coming down just to experience a little piece of Florida.

When you look at the number of people going out of their way to experience the sunshine state, then you must understand the importance of having margaritas and readily available alcoholic beverages for your customers. If you're planning to open any sort of restaurant or bar, then having a liquor license is a must. Tourism thrives on being able to sip on a beer in the mid-afternoon during lunch or after a long day out experiencing what Florida has to offer.

Although there are three tiers of licenses available in Florida, if you're planning on opening a bar, then you must apply for a vendor license. This allows you to sell alcohol to anyone above the age of 21 years at your location. If you were to try and apply for Florida's license lottery system, you may be waiting for your name/number to be called for....a while. Personally, we've known business owners who tried to stick it out and it ended up wasting years, yes, years of their time.

This is where a company like us comes in. We are a Liquor License brokerage firm specifically for the Florida market. We understand that savvy business owners need things now, not tomorrow, not later, not a year from now, they need their business running now. We are connected with sellers around the state to help you get your business start ASAP! Don't bother waiting for the lottery to strike. It's time to take things into your own hands.

If you need a license for your bar, then get in touch with us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. We've seen business booming over the years and now is the best time to capitalize on Florida's tourism industry plus those who decide to reside and retire here. Small business owners in the service industry are doing incredibly well because they knew that market trends are increasing and people are willing to pay top dollar for good food, good service, and good drinks!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to become a small business owner. Build your business and live your life by the sea! Grab a couple of margaritas and sit back and watch the influx in customers flow. Owning a business can be tough, but the rewards are often great. Let us help you get started with your dream business! Contact us today.

Liquor License Locators LLC

866-470-8881

info@LiquorLicenseFL.com