Friday, March 11, 2016

Division of Alcohol & Beverages News - Reminder to Not Sell to Underage

The Bottom Line 

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

March 11, 2016

Dear Friends, 
Florida is known for its sandy beaches and warm weather, making it a popular destination for tourists to visit from all across the country. It comes as no surprise that Florida is a prime destination for spring breakers. Every year, thousands of college students make the trip to our Florida beaches to catch some rays and take a break from the demands of school. Unfortunately, while many of the visitors use this time to unwind, there are some individuals that put the health and safety of themselves and the public at risk. 
Throughout this spring break season, DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) is partnering with local law enforcement agencies across the state to better protect Floridians and tourists as they celebrate their time off from school. One of ABT’s main priorities is to enforce the Florida Beverage Law, including the minimum drinking age. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have alcohol in their possession. Anyone who wishes to purchase or possess alcohol must provide a state-issued ID as proof of drinking age. Licensed vendors risk having their alcoholic beverage license suspended if they provide alcohol to underage persons. 
When underage persons make the decision to possess or drink alcohol, the fun of spring break can quickly turn into a risky situation. We are committed to ensuring that alcohol stays out of the hands of individuals under the legal drinking age and that Florida establishments remain in compliance with the Florida Beverage Law. To report any violations of state laws pertaining to alcohol or tobacco sales, please call (866) 540-7837. 
As a Floridian, I am proud to call such a beautiful vacation destination my home. Florida is a great place to visit, and it is DBPR’s goal to encourage a fun and safe environment for visitors during their stay. Let’s keep spring break safe for all to enjoy and welcome our guests to the great state of Florida!
Sincerely,
Ken Lawson’s Signature
Ken Lawson
Secretary 
Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395

www.MyFloridaLicense.com

Thursday, March 10, 2016


  • Address
    169 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701
  • Phone
    (727) 592-4949


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

As The Economy Grows, So Will Your Liquor License Costs.






Florida state has a tangle of regulations and restrictions on how a business owner can acquire a liquor license. For those who don't know, Florida has a limited supply of licenses and has a population-based quota to meet. What this means is that the everyday Joe who aspires to be a bar owner is unable to buy a liquor license right off the bat. They will need to use a brokerage firm like us to help get a license. If they were to try to get a license on their own, well, they'd be entered into a lottery system that only comes around once a year, which can be extremely inconvenient for businesses, to say the least.

The good news is brokerage firms like us make it simple and painless. We're in the industry and are very aware of new laws and regulations, plus we have the network to connect business owners selling their licenses to business owners who want to finally start their own bar and restaurant. Since we are a liquor license broker, we keep prices in check and make sure the owner selling the licenses isn't going overboard on the price. With that being said, as the economy grows in certain counties and cities, so will the liquor license prices.

And the economy is growing. Florida's population is increasing and it has already passed the 20 million population mark, making it the third state to house over 20 million people, behind California and Texas. Although this information is specific to New Jersey, a state that also has a population-based quota, they have sold liquor licenses for over $2 million dollars in the past. In other parts of New Jersey, liquor license can go for around $800,000. The price of a license greatly varies on the county and how in-demand the licenses might be, but it's only a matter of time that you will see spikes in license pricing in Florida as more people move here and spend money here.

These high liquor license prices are not just specific to New Jersey’s economy, we've also seen an increase in prices in California and other places around the state. For example, in San Francisco, you can only acquire a Type 47 liquor license, which is a license that allows you to sell hard liquor, second hand at $250,000, up from around $80,000 just five years ago. In Detroit, Michigan, you could have purchased a license for $20,000 just two years ago. That price has since doubled to $45,000 to $50,000.

These price increases mean quite a few things. It means that the economy is doing better. It means that more people are spending money on entertainment and it means that there's a demand for more alcohol-driven businesses. Florida has seen a boom in the economy, but the prices are still catching up. Do not miss the opportunity to open your bar today before it becomes too expensive to purchase a liquor license. Contact us and we'll be happy to help you get the process started!



Liquor License FL
1-866-470-8881 Office

Info@LiquorLicenseFL.com

Monday, March 7, 2016



CONGRATS!!!












The Village Fish Market & Restaurant has been trading since 1981, starting as a small enterprise in the first unit by the water and gradually expanding over the years to occupy four units. Originally owned by the DiNunno family, and sold to the Randalls in 2003, it has now completed the expansion. Phase 1 was completed and opened in December 2007 enabling Nick and Sue to put in a bar area and increase their license from beer and wine to full liquor. During the summer of 2008 the original restaurant was renovated to match the style and ambience of the bar. The increase in space has allowed for a larger kitchen to be built, thus allowing an expansion to the menu. When the renovations are complete the plan is to add steamers, lobsters and crab legs on a regular basis. With the larger dining room it is possible to host specialist dinners during the summer months offering wine or beer tasting along with a set menu, maybe even a ‘clam bake’ for those New Englanders. Over the last four years the restaurant has been voted Best Seafood Restaurant in the Charlotte Sun’s Readers Awards and was a finalist in the Business of the Year Award with the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Palm Beach




Palm Beach County Liquor License Just SOLD!



If you are interested in finding out about what your liquor license is worth in todays market, give us a call. A Liquor License Broker will give you todays value in just a few short minutes, so you can  cash in on your investment. We have buyers ready to purchase immediately in every Florida county. Or if your just interested in a cash out refinance on your equity in the license, we can do that as well at very attractive rates. Don't hesitate, call us today!



1.866.470.8881


info@LiquorLicenseFL.com

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Senate passes bill that allows alcohol to be sold at All Aboard Florida stations

TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would allow All Aboard Florida to serve alcohol at its train stations.
SB 698 changes different alcohol and tobacco regulations and would allow wine, beer and alcohol to be sold at rail stations, including restaurants, "entertainment, or recreational facilities" within the premises.
The Senate passed the bill with a 38-0 vote. Senate President-elect Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he voted for the bill by mistake and asked the Senate clerk to change his vote, but that wasn't reflected in the bill's vote tally Wednesday evening. The bill now heads to the House. 
Negron opposes All Aboard's Brightline trains as do many of his constituents in all three Treasure Coast counties and northern Palm Beach. They are concerned about road closures and impacts on their lifestyle. He's vowed to oppose the rail project as well in the Legislature.
Sen. Thad Altman, a Rockledge Republican who represents Indian River County, voted for SB 698.
Florida currently allows beer, wine and liquor to be sold to rail passengers for consumption on the cars, and liquor may only be sold in miniature bottles of no more than 2 ounces. 
The bill would expand that to the stations and liquor would not have to be sold in miniature bottles. The license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation would not be subject to the restrictions, limiting the number of such licenses that may be issued per county. The bill also prohibits local governments from requiring additional licenses or levying an extra tax.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Business Lessons to Learn from Florida Wine Expert




The Miami Herald did a piece on Patrick “Chip” Cassidy who has became the go-to-guy in South Florida for his expertise in wine. Although originally from New York, Cassidy decided to learn the wine business from the ground up after tasting a bottle of Château Lafite 1959, which these days costs as much as $62,000. 

Cassidy's first job was delivering wine for a Long Island, N.Y. Store almost 40 years ago. At the age of 59, he still continues to have the same passion and desire for wine and has personally sampled more than, at last count, 4,000 wines and liquors. Cassidy, a former decorated Vietnam medic, offers advice to young students at FIU on the subject of business and wine. 

There are several valuable lessons to learn from Cassidy's entrepreneurial story, who tells students to be careful who you consider your friends and never, ever, let someone screw you over more than once. Here are some key takeaways from Cassidy's interview with the Miami Herald that every business owner, in the hospitality industry or not, can learn from. 

To summarize Cassidy's entrepreneurial story: 
Decades ago, Cassidy found himself tasting 'the best champagne', a Billecart-Salmon, at a French restaurant in New York and instantly knew he had to add it to his wine list the moment he got back to Miami. Upon writing to the supplier, Robert Chadderdon, who was based out of New York; and not hearing back, he decided to call him directly only to get a woman who completely dismissed him. 

Fast forward a couple of years later, Cassidy found himself in a similar situation, tasting another incredible wine that so happened to be under the same supplier. Upon acquiring once more, he received the same woman who would just not give him the light of day. 

A day after the phone incident, Cassidy had closed a wine deal with a fellow wine importer. When the seller asked if there was anything else he can help him with, Cassidy explained his unfortunate situation with the two wines he was unable to obtain. It turned out the seller knew Chadderdon and set him up with a meeting three weeks later. 

There are several lessons to be learned here. Number one, gatekeepers don't always know best, so unless you hear a no from the horse's mouth directly, it shouldn't stop you from trying to inquire through other means, within reason, of course. They're trying to work in the best interest of their employer, but it can sometimes be hard to 'really see' what their employer really wants. 

The seller asking, 'anything else I can help you with?' opened a conversation to further help their business relationship. More opportunities will appear in front of you if you're willing to ask this simple question to others. You build strong business relationships by helping your associates the best you can. 


By Cassidy explaining a problem to a fellow business associate, his problem ended up getting solved. Do not be afraid to explain problems you're having within the business, other people often have the solution or, in this case, they know people who have the solution to your problem. By explaining a problem to your fellow business friends, all of a sudden you have access to their network of people who may be able to help you.