State lawmakers, bar/restaurant owners push for sale and delivery of bottled wine, beer during COVID-19

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers–and many bar and restaurant owners–are calling on Governor Tim Walz to sign an executive order allowing the sale and delivery of sealed containers of alcohol for off-premise drinking to Minnesotans who are 21 and older during COVID-19. Representative Jon Koznick of Lakeville says “wine and beer to go will help protect remaining jobs and restaurants and hopefully be able to bring back some of the lost jobs. Turning inventory on the shelves and sales into cash is faster than applying for a loan.” And Kozick adds, “Minnesotans want to help their neighbors and local establishments, the popularity of the curbside to go has been pretty strong and I think this is another way Minnesotans can help their local business partners.” Advocates say that typically, beer, wine and mixed drinks can account for up to half of a restaurant’s sales. That revenue is gone with the current halt on dining in at restaurants. Governor Walz said today that if lawmakers opt to pass a measure tomorrow, he will sign it into law.