New Yorkers will soon be able to enjoy a mimosa at brunch on Sundays earlier than ever before.
With just days left in the legislative session, state lawmakers have agreed on a much-anticipated update the state's so-called blue law that will allow restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages beginning at 10 a.m. instead of noon on Sundays.
The law will also allow restaurants outside of New York City to apply for a special permit to sell alcoholic beverages between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., but each establishment can only receive that permit 12 times per year.
The agreement will also allow wine, beer, and liquor manufacturers to obtain multiple manufacturing licenses for the same location, meaning a small winery could also produce whiskey without building a separate facility. It also combines craft license applications in an effort to cut down on paperwork small business owners must fill out when applying for licenses.
Wine enthusiasts can look forward to taking home "growlers" from their favorite wineries. The agreement changes a law that requires wine sold for off-premises consumption to be kept in their original, sealed containers. This will also allow customers to take home partially finished bottles of wine.
The law will also reduce certain fees for craft beverage salespeople and small wholesalers, and allow liquor stores to sell gift wrapping and gift bags to their customers.
The law still needs approval from the full legislature before Governor Andrew Cuomo can sign it into law.
