Many Bars, Restaurants Could Be Blocked from Selling Alcohol Amid State Shutdown

As many as 700 bars and restaurants that failed to renew liquor licenses before the July 1 government shutdown could find themselves unable to sell alcohol after Aug. 1, a judge ruled Monday.  

Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled against a petition filed by the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) to allow Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety to issue “Buyer’s Cards” to licensed alcoholic beverage retailers.

Fortunately, this issue wouldn't affect Shenanigan's Fine Wines and Spirits in Rosemount. "“We knew right away to check on that, and our license is good 'til the end of December. It was the first thing we checked when we heard about the situation, and we’re good to go," Sharon Watschke, manager of Shenanigan’s Fine Wines and Spirits, said. "[Also,] we do [have a valid buyer’s card]. So this won’t affect us.”

A Buyer’s Card would allow the retailers to continue purchasing and selling alcoholic beverages “necessary to the ongoing viability of their businesses” through the duration of the shutdown.

Without a Buyer’s Card, however, the retailers cannot purchase beverages with more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight.

More than 6,000 retailers require Buyer’s Cards to purchase alcohol, according to the MLBA petition. The cards are renewed annually.

“Currently there are over 300 retailers statewide who are unable to receive a Buyer’s Card necessary to purchase liquor,” read the petition. “If the shutdown persists 400 additional retailers will lose their authorization to purchase alcoholic beverage by Aug. 1, 2011.”

Restaurants, bars and liquor stores should've been checking on the status of their license right away and taking care of that, Watschke said.

She added: "It’s the businesses’ responsibility, not just the state."

Judge Gearin’s advice to members of the MLBA: “The Court urges the Association members to make the compelling arguments regarding the impact of the shutdown on hundreds of small liquor establishments to the Governor and their local legislators.”

Gearin said that if the shutdown continues past July 24, the MLBA should contact Ramsey County District Court to schedule a hearing.