PORTLAND (WGME) — Selling alcohol to-go has been a lifeline for many bars and restaurants during the pandemic, and if a new bill passes, they could keep doing it for another two years.
A state lawmaker wants to allow businesses to keep selling takeaway drinks until at least 2022. With such uncertainty, State Senator Louie Luchini has introduced a bill to make takeaway alcohol a legal business practice at least until 2022.
Hunt and Alpine Club Co-owner Andrew Volk wrote to Luchini supporting the bill, as it could be a lifeline if businesses were once again ordered to close. As for the restaurants offering the option right now, it’s a welcome addition for tourists coming to Maine.
Down the street at The North Point, owner Daniel Talmatch says allowing curbside cocktails helped them to stay open. Talmatch says to keep that option available for customers when tourist season fades or when the weather turns sour is a bit of insurance for his business. As for bars and restaurants, owners say the pandemic has shown something has to change for them to survive future hardships.
