Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association

03/25/2022

Chain Store Age Magazine: Grocery prices up 11.5% year-over-year

https://chainstoreage.com/grocery-prices-115-year-over-year

03/25/2022

Nearly 80% of food and beverage companies have passed on higher costs to customers, survey finds

Food Dive Magazine: Nearly 80% of food and beverage companies have passed on higher costs to customers, survey finds

https://www.fooddive.com/news/nearly-80-of-food-and-beverage-companies-have-passed-on-higher-costs-to-cu/620149/

According to Mazars' research, 83% of respondents expected sales to increase in 2022, while 54% identified higher shipping costs as their primary concern.

03/24/2022

Struggling restaurants hope to-go cocktails will help boost them — again

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Struggling restaurants hope to-go cocktails will help boost them — again

Thanks for including the PLBTA in your coverage of this issue!

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2022/03/19/state-senators-bipartisan-cocktails-restaurants-pandemic-pennsylvania/stories/202203150093#:~:text=A%20bill%20introduced%20to%20the,sell%20cocktails%2Dto%2Dgo.

Cat Cannon was shocked when to-go cocktails, a boon for her pandemic-rattled Friendship restaurant, were banned last summer.  When Gov. Tom Wolf’s...

03/23/2022

Members ... since LCE enforcement can possibly begin immediately, we have issued an "On the Fly" Alert concerning this morning's reversal of a licensee right coming from the PLCB.

Please find your edition of "On the Fly" in your email box in case you are vulnerable as a result of this decision.

03/23/2022

Foodservice Director Magazine: Recent survey shows a majority of job quitters regret their exit

https://www.foodservicedirector.com/workforce/recent-survey-shows-majority-job-quitters-regret-their-exit

03/21/2022

GREAT NEWS ... Real-time alert pricing system now available to Members!

Our partner Dining Alliance not only can help you put money back into your pocket through rebates, but now they can also help you find the best timing and pricing on products you buy to run your establishment.

Dining Alliance is the #1 restaurant buying group in the industry. Through a partnership between Dining Alliance and the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, our Members can save on more than 165,000 rebated line items and products, many of which you may already be buying but at higher prices from your distributor(s).

Those who sign up for Dining Alliance also have access to the Dining Alliance Food Cost Management System, where you can get real-time alerts on price trends. Through these real-time alerts, you’ll discover secrets within the supply chain that could signal the best timing for best pricing.

Joining Dining Alliance is 100% FREE for PLBTA Members. Here’s how to join:

1. Go to My.diningalliance.com.
2. On the first screen, click on “Signup.”
3. On the second screen, click “I’m a new member.”
4. On third screen, click “restaurant.”
5. On the fourth screen in the box that reads "Sales Rep” enter our representative “Graham Chateauneuf”
6. Following this is “Channel Partner” box, simply type “Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.”
7. Then complete all other areas and screens. On the last screen, you’ll see a thank you note from Dining Alliance. Once Dining Alliance has processed your information, they will send an activation link to your email.
8. When your account has been activated via link mentioned above, Graham will reach out to describe utilization price trending features and savings opportunities.

03/19/2022

Senators Aim To Permanently Legalize Cocktails To Go In Pennsylvania

KDKA TV Pittsburgh: Senators Aim To Permanently Legalize Cocktails To Go In Pennsylvania

Thank you for including the PLBTA in your coverage!

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2022/03/14/senators-aim-to-permanently-legalize-cocktails-to-go-in-pennsylvania/

Cocktails to go helped Pennsylvania restaurants stay afloat during the COVID crisis, and now, they could become a permanent fixture.

03/17/2022

Bill introduced to permanently allow to-go alcoholic drinks in Pennsylvania

The Center Square: Bill introduced to permanently allow to-go alcoholic drinks in Pennsylvania

Thank you, Anthony Hennen, for including the PLBTA in your coverage.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/bill-introduced-to-permanently-allow-to-go-alcoholic-drinks-in-pennsylvania/article_d83eab3e-a552-11ec-b523-733e6eb40eb6.html

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania alcohol laws may get more permissible courtesy of a bill that would permanently enable to-go cocktails sales by bars and restaurants.

03/17/2022

May your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow.
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Enjoy the day with friends and family at your favorite PaTaverns or licensed PaRestaurants!

03/16/2022

Mixed drinks to-go could be back on the menu at Pennsylvania bars and restaurants | WITF

WITF FM Harrisburg / NPR: Mixed drinks to-go could be back on the menu at Pennsylvania bars and restaurants

Thank you Sam Dunklau for contacting us about this issue and including the PLBTA in your coverage.

https://www.witf.org/2022/03/15/mixed-drinks-to-go-could-be-back-on-the-menu-at-pennsylvania-bars-and-restaurants/

A pair of state senators is trying to re-legalize the popular pandemic-era drinks – after an earlier attempt failed to reach the finish line.

03/15/2022

Members ... our March edition of Mid-Month Update was emailed this morning. Check your email box for this monthly email providing you with updates from the state capitol, PLCB, and our PLBTA HQ in Harrisburg.

03/15/2022

Pa. Senators look to make cocktails-to-go permanent

WJET TV Erie: Pa. Senators look to make cocktails-to-go permanent

Thank you for including the PLBTA in your coverage

https://www.yourerie.com/news/western-pa-news/pa-senators-look-to-make-cocktails-to-go-permanent/

(WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com) — Bringing your favorite cocktail home with you from a bar or restaurant could soon be allowed again, and might also become permanent in Pennsylvania thanks to a prop…

03/15/2022

Cocktails-to-go could be made permanent in Pennsylvania

WPXI TV Pittsburgh: Cocktails-to-go could be made permanent in Pennsylvania

Thank you for including the PLBTA in your coverage.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/cocktails-to-go-could-be-made-permanent-pennsylvania/HYBWTT25VFAS5JY5ZQV5PA5PBY/

🍹 Talks about permanently allowing cocktails-to-go are being revived.

03/14/2022

Sens. Laughlin, Yudichak working to resuscitate cocktails-to-go; Introduce SB 1138

In late January, the PLBTA testified in front of the Pa. Senate CERD Committee on ways to help the industry recover from the COVID crisis and related mitigation orders. Among several ideas mentioned by PLBTA President Tom Tyler was cocktails-to-go. Mr. Tyler's testimony sparked an interest in raising the profile of the issue.

The PLBTA thanks Sens. Laughlin and Yudichak along with other co-sponsors for introducing SB 1138.

Our statement can be found via this link https://pataverns.com/laughlinyudichakcocktails/

03/14/2022

Price Improvement: Harrisburg Area Pizza Shop with Liquor License - Sofranko Advisory Group

Our preferred vendor Sofranko Advisors is working to sell a fully-equipped pizza shop and bar in a busy part of the Harrisburg area. With over 100 seats for in-person eating/drinking and thriving delivery business, this shop is full of potential. Check it out if you're looking to get into the business or buy an additional location ... https://sofrankoadvisors.com/listing/harrisburg-area-pizza-shop-with-liquor-license/

LARGE ESTABLISHED PIZZA SHOP & BAR IN BUSY AREA

03/09/2022

US craft breweries face can shortages as prices spike

The Drinks Business: US craft breweries face can shortages as prices spike

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2022/03/us-craft-breweries-face-can-shortages-as-prices-spike/

Craft brewers in the US are being priced out of the market after drinks can manufacturing giant Ball Corp. raised its minimum order fivefold.

03/08/2022

Diners Are Tipping Less Than They Did Before the Pandemic, Data Shows

Food & Wine: Diners Are Tipping Less Than They Did Before the Pandemic, Data Shows

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/restaurant-tipping-rates-decline-pandemic

Tips at full-service restaurants have fallen 10 percent since their pandemic peak, according insights from the Square payment platform.

03/07/2022

Voters split over selling off Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor stores: poll

PennLive: Voters split over selling off Pennsylvania’s state-run liquor stores: poll

Thank you, Jan Murphy, for including the PLBTA and our position in your story.

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/03/voters-split-over-selling-off-state-run-liquor-stores-poll.html

A new Franklin & Marshall College poll finds that fewer voters who favor a decision to sell off the liquor stores want to see it accomplished through a voter referendum. It also found five-year high percentages of voters financially worse off than a year ago.

03/04/2022

Is Republicans’ liquor privatization plan a glass half full or half empty?

Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Guest Opinion - Is liquor privatization plan a glass half full or half empty?

Thank you for running our president's guest opinion!

https://www.sungazette.com/opinion/other-commentaries/2022/03/is-republicans-liquor-privatization-plan-a-glass-half-full-or-half-empty/

The debate on House Bill 2272 has started! Should Pennsylvania get out of the business of selling liquor, essentially going with private wholesalers and retailers. As the statewide political voice for family-owned taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants, it has raised a question within our Membershi...

03/04/2022

Our monthly magazine -- Pennsylvania Beverage Media -- is now in the hands of Members. The March edition includes 66 pages of relevant industry news and feature stories to keep PLBTA Members in-the-know. If you're not a Member, you're definitely missing out. But, there's a way for you to help your industry, your business, and your future by joining organized taverns today. https://pataverns.com/annual-membership-v2/

03/03/2022

Your View: Could privatizing liquor sales endanger mom-and-pop bars and restaurants?

Allentown Morning Call: Could privatizing liquor sales endanger mom-and-pop bars and restaurants?

Thank you for running our guest opinion on this very important issue.

https://www.mcall.com/opinion/mc-opi-pennsylvania-liquor-privatization-tyler-20220302-6y3dnw7n3nekpoomqpax55wju4-story.html

Our mom-and-pop taverns, bars and licensed restaurants should not have to worry that they’ll be destroyed.

03/02/2022

Statement: PaTaverns, licensed PaRestaurants celebrate another step towards normalcy in Philly

https://pataverns.com/pataverns-licensed-parestaurants-celebrate-another-step-towards-normalcy-in-philly/

03/02/2022

Liquor privatization: Half full or empty?

Altoona Mirror: Liquor privatization: Half full or empty?

Thank you for running our presidents guest opinion!

https://www.altoonamirror.com/opinion/2022/03/liquor-privatization-half-full-or-empty/

The debate on HB 2272 has started. Should Pennsylvania get out of the business of selling liquor, essentially going with private wholesalers and retailers. As the statewide political voice for family-owned taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants, it has raised a question within our membership. What....

03/02/2022

More U.S. States Say No to Russian Vodka Amid Ukraine Invasion

Did Pennsylvania's bar owners help start a national trend to boycott Russian vodka? Maybe! More states are joining in on this symbolic gesture. Check out this Wall Street Journal article.

Wall Street Journal: More U.S. States Say No to Russian Vodka Amid Ukraine Invasion

https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-u-s-states-say-no-to-russian-vodka-amid-ukraine-invasion-11646147015

At least 11 states have banned the sale of Russian-made alcohol. But few vodka brands sold in the U.S. come from Russia and most of the states said the bans applied to just two or three brands.

03/02/2022

Members ... look for an "On the Fly" Alert shortly concerning a few announcements coming from Philadelphia.

03/02/2022

As we approach our Spring recruitment period, we want to thank these 23 businesses that recently made a commitment to being a part of Organized Taverns through the PLBTA. All are listed in the March edition of our monthly magazine - Pennsylvania Beverage Media. Not a Member? That's a shame. You're missing out. You could help your industry, your business and your future by joining today. https://pataverns.com/annual-membership-v2/

03/01/2022

Philly quietly added surprise fees and ‘burdensome’ rules for restaurant streeteries

Watch out Philly … huge fees coming for streeteries.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia-streeteries-restaurants-outdoor-dining-rules-20220301.html

“It’s a bureaucratic mess,” said Councilmember Allan Domb. “This is basically the administration saying ‘we don’t want outdoor seating.’”

03/01/2022

Women's History Month starts today. To honor the month, we want to recognize one of our own ... Michelle Ritter.

Michelle owns the Willow Street Pub in Coplay and is a Board Member of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association. She is also a Member of Tavern PAC.

Thank you Michelle for being a part of Organized Taverns. You are making a difference.

02/28/2022

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board removes Russian vodka from state store shelves

Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board removes Russian vodka from state store shelves

Thank you for including the PLBTA in your coverage.

https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2022/02/27/russia-vodka-boycott-pennsylvania-gov-wolf/6965660001/

Gov. Tom Wolf urged the PLCB to remove Russian vodka and other products from state store shelves. A statewide tavern industry group agreed.

02/28/2022

What has Organized Taverns achieved since reorganizing in 2019? Check this out …

• Through our “On the Fly” Alert, we recently saved one Member several thousand dollars in legal fees by avoiding a date with a judge.
• Raised the voice of small business taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants by having guest opinions published across the state on the issue of privatization.
• Fought for Act 81 of 2021 to allow closed establishments to sell unopened bottles of liquor and wine to other licensees; allow licensed extensions until 12/31/24; added an additional year of safekeeping; and changed off-premise catering rules until 12/31/24.
• Convinced PLCB and IRRC to eliminate the $50 minimum purchase requirement in order for a licensee to receive a discount when purchasing liquor for their establishment. Effective October 2021.
• Changed tap cleaning regulations. Previously taverns and clubs were required to clean tap lines every 7 days, while certain newer license types had no requirements. Effective August 2021, all license types must clean tap lines every 14 days.
• Lobbied for Act 1 of 2021, which, in part, provided $145 million to small business taverns and restaurants in the form of grants to assist the industry with financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration
• Pushed for 2021 Licensing Fees waived as part of COVID-19 financial recovery efforts
• Gained Act 21 of 2020 which allowed for mixed spirits drinks to go during the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration.

As the statewide political voice for family-owned taverns, bars, nightclubs, and licensed restaurants, we’re excited about our future and where we are heading. Through a dedicated Board of Directors made up of your peers, we’re on the move!

Thank you Members for your support!

Non-members … why aren’t you on the team? What’s keeping you from helping your industry, your business, and your future? Join Today!

https://pataverns.com/annual-membership-v2/