In response to concerns by state-licensed alcohol distributors, the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcohol Beverage Control department is taking action to limit the fiscal impact to liquor stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday afternoon director of the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcohol Beverage Control department Debbi Beavers released a memorandum to local vendors detailing new policies that allow vendors to continue generating revenue while embracing proper social distancing practices.
According to the memorandum:
1. A licensee may make curbside sales to customers, in accordance with all existing provisions of the Kansas Liquor Control Act and the Kansas Club and Drinking Establishment Act. The payment and physical delivery of the alcoholic liquor may occur on or off of the licensed premises, subject to additional guidelines, only for as long as these new policies remain in effect.
2. The sale of alcohol to underage individuals, sales below cost, and other provisions are still strictly prohibited.
3. Drinking establishments and class A clubs, class B clubs may sell bottles of beer or wine curbside, in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 41-2653. For the duration of this policy only, beer or wine sold in this fashion needs to be opened on the licensed premises and properly sealed but does not need to be partially consumed on the licensed premises.
4. To accommodate these curbside sales, the licensee shall designate specific “to-go” parking stalls or similar locations, which must all be located within a 50-foot radius of the entrance to their licensed premises.
5. Sales of any kind (i.e. payment or delivery of alcoholic liquor) occurring outside of this 50-foot radius are strictly prohibited.
6. This policy shall only apply to the following license types: retail liquor store, drinking establishment, class A club, class B club, farm winery, microbrewery, microdistillery and producer.
According to ABC representatives, the new policies are not a mandate forcing liquor establishments to close their doors, but simply an additional resource for those wishing to limit in-store interactions. KVOE has reached out to the Alcohol Beverage Control department for further comment. For more information click here to view the memorandum or click here to visit the ABC’s official website.
