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Bill proposes alcohol to-go for two more years after shutdown

Posted at 11:38 PM, May 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-22 23:41:42-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Take out, pickup, or delivery of your beverage of choice has become a part of pandemic life. A bill in the New York State Senate is looking to keep it that way for two more years.

Senator Brad Hoylman's proposal would not overrule any existing laws regarding drinking in public; all containers would have to be closed. In addition, delivery vehicles would need approval from the State Liquor Authority and alcohol sales would be limited to any bar or restaurant's normal business hours.

"For all those people that won't come back, I think food delivery, alcoholic beverage delivery, beer delivery, all of that's going to be important to the survival of the restaurant industry," Thin Man Brewery owner Rocco Termini said.

If the bill becomes law, public hearings will be held close to its expiration. One of the target sites for those hearings listed in the bill is Western New York.