For small bar and restaurant owners who failed to get around to considering or taking up the offer from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to buy back spirits by today’s deadline, there’s good news. The commission today authorized an extension of the application dealine by a week, making it still available until 5pm next Friday, April 24th.
For those in the general public who are unaware of the system, bars and restaurants all across Michigan buy their liquor from the state of Michigan in the first place, so those wondering, “What is the state going to do with a stockpile of booze?” the answer is to simply place it back into inventory. However, the licensees don’t have to physically cart it all back to the state. They simply “sell” it back, getting the money to help pay other bills, employee costs and such, and only when they make the decision that they won’t actually need it do they have to surrender it. That way, once they do reopen, they don’t have to restock, they just pay off the no-interest loan of the buy back unless they want to surrender their inventory.
Gov. Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-46 earlier this week authorizing the MLCC to offer a spirits cash buy back to liquor licensees whose businesses have been affected by Executive Orders related to the continuing COVID-19 health crisis.
MLCC Chair Pat Gagliardi says, “We’re extending the deadline so that more of our licensees, many of whom are small business owners, can take advantage of this unprecedented program,” and adds, “They are the backbone of Michigan’s hospitality and beverage alcohol industries and are vital to Michigan’s economic vitality. These zero-interest measures are being taken to help sustain the financial viability of these business owners who are being severely impacted by this health crisis.”
This week, the MLCC has directly notified the 6,000+ on-premises licensees of their eligibility, explained how the program works, and issued instructions on how to apply.
Licensees can apply using an online fillable form and inventory form found at the link below or they may submit the application and inventory form by first class mail, postmarked by Friday, April 24, 2020. A list of frequently asked questions about the program are also available on the MLCC website. Here’s the link to the licensee form:
It is the mission of the MLCC to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while protecting the consumer and the general public through the regulation of those involved in the importation, sale, consumption, distribution, and delivery of these alcohol products.
