The Wright Law Firm appears regularly before the NYS Liquor Authority (SLA) and assists Clients with their New York Liquor Store License Application. A prospective liquor store applicant must be familiar with the standard by which the SLA decides to grant or deny the license.
The decision is made in accordance with “public convenience and advantage”. (Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, Sec. 2, 63, Subdiv. 6.) This is not the same as the “public interest” standard that applies to on-premises liquor licenses.
A major factor in “public convenience and advantage” is whether there are too many package stores in one neighborhood and how close the nearest liquor store is to the Applicant. According to the State Liquor Authority, if package stores are already competing for business, it would be poor judgment to dilute that market further by issuing an additional liquor store license in the area. The State Liquor Authority’s concern is that if package stores are financially desperate, they are more likely to sell to minors or intoxicated people or buy liquor inventory from unlicensed vendors. The NYS Liquor Authority (SLA) primarily looks at the distance to the nearest four liquor stores and whether those stores have increasing or decreasing gross sales over the previous few years. Before a prospective wine store owner leases a space, they should meet with a New York Liquor Store Lawyer to weigh their chances of the license being approved. We review the proposed liquor store’s method of operation (internet sales, wine-to-spirits ratio, bulletproof vs. open floor plan). Whether representing a liquor store applicant or the closest liquor store opposing the new store, we research demographics, neighborhood income levels, gentrification, residential development and traffic patterns near the planned location. We obtain the gross sales history of the four nearest stores and discuss how the applicant may differentiate itself from the competition. Prior to our representing you before the Full Board Hearing, we submit memorandums to the State Liquor Authority Commissioners to review.
For assistance with your New York Liquor Store License Application, Request a consultation with a New York Liquor Store License Lawyer, or call: (212) 619-1500