The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board voted 2-1 Wednesday to waive an estimated $27.7 million in license fees for retail businesses most impacted by the pandemic.
The decision covers holders of restaurant, retail dispenser, club, catering club and hotel licenses. Gov. Tom Wolf requested the relief last week during a visit to Pittsburgh.
“We believe it’s the right thing to do in support of our restaurants, bars, and gathering places,” said Board Chairman Tim Holden. “So, we’re glad next year to ease the financial burden to some extent for these businesses.”
The move will save businesses anywhere from between $1,200 and over $15,000 dollars in 2021 depending on the county where a license is located. But some restaurant owners were underwhelmed by the gesture.
“I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth but that fee for us is $1,700 a year. And while it’s welcome and I appreciate it, it really won’t do anything,” said Dave Regan, owner of the Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle pub in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. “It’s a drop in the bucket compared to what we’ve lost. I’m down $300,000 in sales since the pandemic. If they really want to help they can get rid of having to order food and no sitting in a bar. We’re losing a lot of business from those two limitations.”
Anita Schaming, co-owner of CC’s Cafe in Sharpsburg, said the move was a step in the right direction.
“Hopefully this isn’t too late for a lot of people but you’ve got to start somewhere,” said Schaming. “There’s a long way to go and hopefully (Wolf) starts doing a lot of other things to help the restaurant industry.”
Licensees will still be required to file validation and renewal applications to keep licensees current and avoid late-filing fees.
Not all of the Board members, however, were in agreement.
“I absolutely support efforts to provide relief to our bars and restaurants, but I don’t believe the PLCB has the authority to waive statutorily established fees,” said Board member Mike Negra, explaining his dissenting vote. “The fee waiver is the equivalent of the PLCB legislating, rather than administering current law.”
Some license fees will continue to be collected in 2021, including those associated with wine expanded permit applications and renewals, direct wine shipper licenses, change of ownership and/or location of a license and applications fees for new licenses.
Businesses less impacted by covid-19 restrictions such as manufacturers, beer distributors and transporters for hire, will still have to pay license fees in 2021.
Meanwhile, the PLCB will continue to expedite applications for temporary extensions of licensed premises to include outside service areas.
