Liquor License

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ThuderingWind

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How much does having a liquor license add to your commercial business insurance rate per year?
 
You'd really have to ask your own insurance company. Not trying to be smart, but every company is different about what they will and will not underwrite. And what hoops you have to jump thru each year to prove you have the proper licensing in place.
You also need to know how much the actual license costs you, how you go about procuring alcohol to sell, what regulations your town, county and state have regarding the sale of alcohol and what classes you are required to take to serve alcohol.
Every location is different.
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Right. My son kept pushing us to get a license so we could serve drinks at breakfast. Mimosas all around! Being in the biz himself, he kept telling me alcohol is where the money is.
We looked at the regulations, then at each other, and decided the rules were to onerous for us to enforce. (Prohibition started here. The state is still fighting the good fight against the demon rum.)
But, if there's a restaurant on the premises or plans to host parties then definitely get all the details.
 
every state has different liquor laws. Even though we are permitted to do so, our insurance company says NO no matter what. So we never did it.
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
.
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
The opposite of hospitality. How do they get the reviews? I hope you left one.
During the nor'easter on Sunday, we went in to fluff the two occupied rooms and they were freezing. So we turned on the electric fireplaces. (The oil heat is very hard to manage because there is one thermostat for two floors and 5 rooms.)
They were thrilled when I told them. They had deliberately turned off the fireplaces to "save us a dime." But having freezing cold rooms was unacceptable and that is what the space heater/fireplaces are for!
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
.
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
The opposite of hospitality. How do they get the reviews? I hope you left one.
During the nor'easter on Sunday, we went in to fluff the two occupied rooms and they were freezing. So we turned on the electric fireplaces. (The oil heat is very hard to manage because there is one thermostat for two floors and 5 rooms.)
They were thrilled when I told them. They had deliberately turned off the fireplaces to "save us a dime." But having freezing cold rooms was unacceptable and that is what the space heater/fireplaces are for!
.
We're getting off the topic of alcohol, but...can you get new zones put on your furnace? I think that's probably one of the best things ever done here. We have10 zones on 2 boilers + the hot water tanks. We can tell exactly what room has gone out for the day and left the heat on (and then go turn it down). And, a lot of our winter guests turn the thermostat down completely so it helps them sleep better as well, not having the heat on to keep other rooms warm. (Put it on that never-ending list.)
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
.
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
The opposite of hospitality. How do they get the reviews? I hope you left one.
During the nor'easter on Sunday, we went in to fluff the two occupied rooms and they were freezing. So we turned on the electric fireplaces. (The oil heat is very hard to manage because there is one thermostat for two floors and 5 rooms.)
They were thrilled when I told them. They had deliberately turned off the fireplaces to "save us a dime." But having freezing cold rooms was unacceptable and that is what the space heater/fireplaces are for!
.
We're getting off the topic of alcohol, but...can you get new zones put on your furnace? I think that's probably one of the best things ever done here. We have10 zones on 2 boilers + the hot water tanks. We can tell exactly what room has gone out for the day and left the heat on (and then go turn it down). And, a lot of our winter guests turn the thermostat down completely so it helps them sleep better as well, not having the heat on to keep other rooms warm. (Put it on that never-ending list.)
.
Madeleine said:
We're getting off the topic of alcohol, but...can you get new zones put on your furnace? I think that's probably one of the best things ever done here. We have10 zones on 2 boilers + the hot water tanks. We can tell exactly what room has gone out for the day and left the heat on (and then go turn it down). And, a lot of our winter guests turn the thermostat down completely so it helps them sleep better as well, not having the heat on to keep other rooms warm. (Put it on that never-ending list.)
We looked at it. The construction and cost of a new boiler are on the list but not for this year.
 
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license..
Arks said:
And to tack more on to this, how much income does a liquor license add to the business, both from direct sales, and from increased bookings from people who appreciate being able to get some wine or beer when they stay at your place.
Bottom line, does the increased income offset the increased insurance rate, and licensing costs. Obviously it does for many or they wouldn't have the license.
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
.
Madeleine said:
TheBeachHouse said:
not to mention the extra work. running a bar in the evening would interfere with my family time.
This was something else we considered because our regs state we have to tell guests where they are allowed to consume alcohol. So, if we say they can imbibe outside, we have to serve them outside. They can't serve themselves or bring their own alcohol outside. It kind of limits the guest to buying drinks from us or sitting in their rooms the whole time.
No way I want to be bartending at midnight!
We had to sit in our room at a B&B we went to because the innkeeper told us we couldn't drink in the living room unless we bought from him. Tons of fun. Not. We all gathered in our room, mostly in the dark because he only had 15w lightbulbs and he refused to turn on the gas for the fireplace in our room. (And, yes, he has hundreds of glowing 5 star reviews, which is why we chose that place.) But, that's what the regs force you to do here. (Not use 15w lightbulbs and refuse to turn the gas on, but force the guests to sit in their rooms, even when it's a group gathering.)
The opposite of hospitality. How do they get the reviews? I hope you left one.
During the nor'easter on Sunday, we went in to fluff the two occupied rooms and they were freezing. So we turned on the electric fireplaces. (The oil heat is very hard to manage because there is one thermostat for two floors and 5 rooms.)
They were thrilled when I told them. They had deliberately turned off the fireplaces to "save us a dime." But having freezing cold rooms was unacceptable and that is what the space heater/fireplaces are for!
.
[/quote]
The opposite of hospitality. How do they get the reviews? I hope you left one.
[/quote]
Sent chills up my back. We have been afraid to tempt the review gods. We only dish out 5 stars when it is warranted, lest instant review karma strike.
 
It's not a big money maker for us. It's more of a convenience for our guests. We can sell wine & beer without a liquor license, so we stock about 6 different local wines, some beer & hard cider. We're a moderate priced ($160-200 per night) 4 room place and so we choose very moderate priced wines (we sell them for $18 per bottle). Real wine lovers bring their own. We sell about 3-4 bottles of wine per month in the busy season. Not enough to make much money.
Don't feel bad you can't do the alcohol thing...most folks are not at a b&b to drink, unless you have created more of a pub atmosphere.
 
We live in a dry county. So we can only serve sparkling juice!
 
We live in a dry county. So we can only serve sparkling juice!.
Lea Ann said:
We live in a dry county. So we can only serve sparkling juice!
I live in a dry county too, but my state has a special "B&B Private Club License" that lets B&B's serve beer and wine, to registered guests only, in a dry county. It may be the only progressive thing this state does!
 
We live in a dry county. So we can only serve sparkling juice!.
Lea Ann said:
We live in a dry county. So we can only serve sparkling juice!
I live in a dry county too, but my state has a special "B&B Private Club License" that lets B&B's serve beer and wine, to registered guests only, in a dry county. It may be the only progressive thing this state does!
.
I just checked. Apparently we enacted and repealed prohibition so fast that no one noticed it. Wow. Learnt something new today.
 
You'd really have to ask your own insurance company. Not trying to be smart, but every company is different about what they will and will not underwrite. And what hoops you have to jump thru each year to prove you have the proper licensing in place.
You also need to know how much the actual license costs you, how you go about procuring alcohol to sell, what regulations your town, county and state have regarding the sale of alcohol and what classes you are required to take to serve alcohol.
Every location is different..
Madeleine said:
You'd really have to ask your own insurance company. Not trying to be smart, but every company is different about what they will and will not underwrite. And what hoops you have to jump thru each year to prove you have the proper licensing in place.
You also need to know how much the actual license costs you, how you go about procuring alcohol to sell, what regulations your town, county and state have regarding the sale of alcohol and what classes you are required to take to serve alcohol.
Every location is different.
Understood. And I have all the info you mentioned. I have five quotes from reputable insurance firms and the prices are too far part to get a reasonable idea. They are all in ballpark without alcohol.
The only reason we are looking at is that the prior owner had it.
 
You'd really have to ask your own insurance company. Not trying to be smart, but every company is different about what they will and will not underwrite. And what hoops you have to jump thru each year to prove you have the proper licensing in place.
You also need to know how much the actual license costs you, how you go about procuring alcohol to sell, what regulations your town, county and state have regarding the sale of alcohol and what classes you are required to take to serve alcohol.
Every location is different..
Madeleine said:
You'd really have to ask your own insurance company. Not trying to be smart, but every company is different about what they will and will not underwrite. And what hoops you have to jump thru each year to prove you have the proper licensing in place.
You also need to know how much the actual license costs you, how you go about procuring alcohol to sell, what regulations your town, county and state have regarding the sale of alcohol and what classes you are required to take to serve alcohol.
Every location is different.
Understood. And I have all the info you mentioned. I have five quotes from reputable insurance firms and the prices are too far part to get a reasonable idea. They are all in ballpark without alcohol.
The only reason we are looking at is that the prior owner had it.
.
I may have missed this - did you tell us what state this place is in? Maybe someone could narrow it down for you if we knew. If you'd rather not say until the deal is done, that's OK too.
 
I looked into it. Would cost me $125 per year for a wine license. BUT I have to tell them where it will be stored, how it will be stored, AND for me - find a "secured" place to store it. Guests bring their own (sometimes actually ask first if they can) and ask if I have wine glasses. Happy to provide them. Too much bother for me to do it - the grocery store sells wine and I send them on routings that take them to a very nice winery.
 
I looked into it. Would cost me $125 per year for a wine license. BUT I have to tell them where it will be stored, how it will be stored, AND for me - find a "secured" place to store it. Guests bring their own (sometimes actually ask first if they can) and ask if I have wine glasses. Happy to provide them. Too much bother for me to do it - the grocery store sells wine and I send them on routings that take them to a very nice winery..
Check in last night started unpacking their wine as I was still talking. I offered them wine glasses, they said, no, we have it covered. Then they took out the two red solo cups. LOL. enjoy your picnic.
 
It's not a big money maker for us. It's more of a convenience for our guests. We can sell wine & beer without a liquor license, so we stock about 6 different local wines, some beer & hard cider. We're a moderate priced ($160-200 per night) 4 room place and so we choose very moderate priced wines (we sell them for $18 per bottle). Real wine lovers bring their own. We sell about 3-4 bottles of wine per month in the busy season. Not enough to make much money.
Don't feel bad you can't do the alcohol thing...most folks are not at a b&b to drink, unless you have created more of a pub atmosphere..
Same laws as BD, but located in Southern Willamette and winery tourism is significant - rarely why people come here, but a good thing to do once they arrive. We serve and sell local wines at the winery price. Although the revenue from wine sales is small (and the profit is smaller!), the cachet and tie-in to local tourism is big. We also serve home brew which has been well received and is actually is more of a Pacific NW tie-in for the 30's and younger crowd.
 
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