Category: Restaurant / Liquor License
Pennsylvania’s Economic Development Licenses
Most Pennsylvania liquor licenses are distributed on a county-by-county basis based upon a ratio of one license per 3,000 inhabitants in the county. Once the limit is reached, liquor license acquisition depends on supply and demand. However, in 2002 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation… Continue reading
Responsible Alcohol Management Program
Last summer Governor Wolf signed Act 39 of 2016 which made several changes to the Liquor Code. Among those changes were provisions regarding the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) requirements. RAMP training covers how to detect fake IDs, identify signs of intoxication and how to… Continue reading
Expanded Wine Sales in the Commonwealth
In August of 2016, Act 39 of 2016 went into effect changing the Pennsylvania Liquor Code substantially. The act included dozens of changes which impacted licensees, consumers and the Pennsylvania LCB (“LCB”). One area most affected by the changes to the law involves how Pennsylvanians… Continue reading
Liquor License Citations
Sale of alcohol is regulated by both the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (in the latter case via the Liquor Control Board). Before a restaurant, bar, deli, brewery, hotel or similar establishment can legally sell alcohol in Pennsylvania, it must obtain a proper… Continue reading
Upcoming Renewal and Validation Information
District Packets Available Filing Deadline Expiration of License District 1 Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Somerset, Union October 3 December 2 January 31 District 2 Adams, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, York November 3 January 2 February 28 District… Continue reading
Liquor License Can Be A Privilege or a Right
In the Philadelphia suburbs restaurant liquor licenses have recently sold for as much as $550,000. What has a buyer of a license really bought? Certainly, other than the certificate that is issued by the Liquor Control Board (the LCB), there is nothing very tangible; but… Continue reading
Going Once, Going Twice – Sold!
As we reported in June, the Governor signed Act 39 into law which went into effect on August 8, 2016. Act 39 requires the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to auction expired restaurant licenses, including those that were not renewed, were revoked by an Administrative… Continue reading
The Current State of Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfers
In the past we have reported on the process for transferring liquor licenses. Since 2000, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) has permitted Restaurant (“R”) licenses and Eating Place (“E”) licenses to be transferred outside of the municipality where they are located to another municipality… Continue reading
What is RAMP Training?
RAMP is the LCB’s “Responsible Alcohol Management Program” designed to train and certify owners, managers and servers of alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania in proper alcohol sale and service procedures. These include such things as proper identification checks, detecting fake or fraudulent I.D. documents, identifying signs… Continue reading
Landmark Changes to the Liquor Code
In December we reported that the Pennsylvania Senate had approved liquor reforms that were acceptable to the Governor, but that the Pennsylvania Legislature had yet to approve any such change. In June, the Legislature finally passed the Liquor Reform Bill and on June 8, 2016,… Continue reading