Faced with a very tight window of opportunity to take advantage of the offer, the head of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association is strongly encouraging members interested in taking up the deal to respond rapidly.
Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA, says there is only a 72-hour open window to accept the governor’s offer rolled out last night. The governor last night signed Executive Order 2020-46, which authorizes the Liquor Control Commission to buy back any alcoholic spirits inventory purchased by premises licensees prior to March 16th.
The Liquor Control Commission will accept requests from Class C, B-Hotel, G-1, Club and other on-premises licensees effective immediately and through 5 pm on April 17th. Those opting into the program will have 90 days after the end of a declared state of emergency in which to repay the advance or surrender the equivalent spirits. The Liquor Control Commission reserves the right to seize the spirits of any operator that does not repay the advance in full.
Winslow says, “We thank MLCC Chairman Pat Gagliardi for his creative leadership during an immensely challenging time in the hospitality industry. He has offered an elegant solution, essentially providing a contact-free buy back opportunity for shuttered restaurants and bars who currently have no other way of generating revenue from their alcoholic spirits,” and adds, “As the collective shelter of American society persists, our neighborhood restaurants and bars need every bit of support they can get to make it out the other side.”
MRLA members interested in the program are encouraged to quickly apply online at the link below, inasmuch as the application process expires less than 72 hours after going live. Here’s the direct link:
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_10570—,00.html
