The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) applauded the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives for their action on Wednesday to pass two key priorities in the area of state liquor control policy.
The Michigan Senate first passed the bill early Wednesday that would allow for Sunday morning alcohol sales by permit and allow restaurants and bars to offer free samples of beer, wine and spirits to patrons. The Michigan House followed suit and agreed with the Senate bill and sent it on to the desk of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has said she will sign it.
“We would like to thank the Michigan Senate and House for their strong, bi-partisan action to pass this important legislation,” said Rob Gifford, president and chief executive officer of the MRA. “Republicans and Democrats came together and identified the importance of this industry in Michigan and passed good public policy which will improve sales and increase awareness of Michigan products.”
Sunday morning alcohol sales
For a fee of $160 annually, liquor licensees will be able to apply for a Sunday morning sales permit from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission which will allow them to sell and serve alcoholic beverages on Sunday mornings starting at 7:00am. This new permit will allow licensees to expand product and service offerings to patrons and increase sales. The permit is not mandatory and a licensee is not required to obtain the permit if they do not wish to serve alcohol before noon.
On-premises alcohol sampling
Michigan restaurants and taverns will be allowed to offer free samples of beer, wine and spirits to patrons. Each patron may be allowed no more than two samples of either beer, wine or distilled spirits. The sample size shall not exceed three ounces for beer, two ounces for wine, and a half ounce for distilled spirits. This new provision will help drive additional sales of higher-end products in restaurants and taverns and increase awareness of craft beers, wines and spirits, especially those made in Michigan.
For the last several months, the MRA has led the way to pass Sunday morning alcohol sales and spirits catering provisions into law. The governor vetoed that bill but the MRA regrouped and continued working with other Michigan alcohol industry organizations and came back to the Legislature with the Sunday sales and sampling provisions. The MRA will ask the Legislature to consider the spirits catering provision again in the next session.
In particular, the MRA is grateful to: state Sen. Alan Sanborn of Richmond, the chairman of the Senate committee who carefully negotiated and crafted the final version of the legislation and ensured the proper wording and inclusion of these two provisions in the bill; state Rep. Andrew Kandrevas of Southgate, the bill’s sponsor; and state Rep. Rick Hammel of Flushing, who has long been a champion of the Sunday morning provision and worked closely with the MRA to press the issue in the House.
“The MRA is thankful to these three legislators in particular for their leadership,” said Gifford. “Despite the odds, they stood strong and prevailed.”
While the governor has not yet signed the bill, she has indicated she will do so.
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The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 423,000 people and creating nearly $10 billion in annual sales.
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