Finding Creative Solutions Around Strict Liquor Licenses

Bar owners are used to jumping through a number of regulations and rules that vary from county to county for their liquor license. The cost to acquire a liquor license can be costly, especially when there are specific population-based quotas to meet. For example, to get a liquor license in New Jersey, which has a population-based quota and is among the most expensive states, can top well over $2.3 million. In fact, that's exactly the number The Cheesecake Factory Mall paid in Short Hills.

There is definitely a disparity on liquor license costs that vary from county to county, because the demand of the licenses in each county is always different. Although these prices are specific to Florida itself, it does bare repeating. In Monroe County a license can go for around $550,000, but in Polk County, FL it can cost less than 50 grand.

As the market becomes more difficult to acquire a license, entrepreneurs start to get creative and find unusual loop holes or a work around from the very restrictive local laws. In Florida, the law greatly limits full-service liquor licenses, but beer and wine licenses are much less expensive and the restrictions are less - which makes it easier to obtain. What has become really costly for bar and restaurant owners is trying to obtain a hard liquor license. Not having one means that common drinkers are put-off when they can't have a whiskey on the rocks or a Mojito.

However, the owners at Chillbar, located in Hollywood, Florida, have gotten extremely creative while still being in compliance with their beer and wine license. Their cocktail menu has an extensive drink collection that includes rum, tequila, vodka, and more. But how do they do it? Easily, they mimic the taste through the use of Premium Blend, a brand that provides hard liquor and cordial substitutes that will not violate your wine license. Elizabeth Becker, the co-owner of Chillbar, said the decision to include Premium Blend in their cocktail menu was a no-brainer and most people can not tell the difference between the formula and the real thing.

The imitation-liquor market is tiny, but other competitors to Premium Blend have slowly been coming in and they mostly cater to small mom and pop-like businesses who still aren't able to afford a full-liquor license to their restaurant just yet. Premium Blend was founded by two brothers a little over 26 years ago and they have a very extensive catalog of imitation liquors for any bar or business owner to choose from. If you're starting out and unable to afford a full license for your bar, then consider using an imitation-liquor that's been wine-licensed approve to get around the costs.

By the way,  feel free to contact us for more information on how we can help you obtain a liquor license or beer and wine license in Florida! We're happy to help!

Liquor License FL

1-866-470-8881 Office

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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 Secretary  Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Customer Contact Center: 850.487.1395 www.MyFloridaLicense.com

• Address

  169 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701
• Phone

  (727) 592-4949

  
  

  

  
  

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

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.

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

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

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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.