Senate passes bill allowing brew-pub owners to also open restaurants

The New York State Senate has passed a bill (S.7110), sponsored by Sen. Mark Grisanti, that would allow a brew-pub owner to also open a restaurant.

"I applaud today's passage of this legislation to allow an individual to own a license for both manufacturing of alcohol and an alcohol retail license, which will create the opportunity for one owner to operate a restaurant and a brew-pub facility," Grisanti said. "With brew-pubs springing up across the state, it is counterproductive and anti-business to limit entrepreneurs."

"This bill is good for jobs, small businesses and consumers," he said. "In downtown Buffalo, we support the popular Pearl Street Brewery, which not only makes its own beer, but serves fine food. This legislation will pave the way for more flexibility in ownership of restaurants and brew-pubs across the region."

Since the end of prohibition, New York state has restricted owners of an alcohol manufacturer license from also having a retail license, limiting the ability to open the two types of businesses. The restrictions carried over to owners of brew-pubs who manufacture their own alcohol and also serve food, restricting them from also owning a secondary restaurant.

The bill will be sent to the State Assembly.