ALE Training

08/08/2021

Liability for selling gas to an intoxicated driver? Wow.

Gas stations have a legal obligation not to sell fuel to drivers who are believed to be intoxicated, the New Mexico Supreme Court said Monday in a decision that could have far-reaching effects on businesses and that only one other state applies so strictly.

07/01/2021

Great training this morning with Paradise Cruises on Lake Minnetonka. Any work meeting on a cruise boat is a plus.

03/19/2021

Great article regarding industry take-aways from a year under COVID-many of them positive!

As we mark the anniversary of chaos in the restaurant industry, what have we learned?

02/01/2021

It will be interesting to see what influence, if any, the strain of a pandemic will have on loosening alcohol regulation.

Larger breweries are prohibited from selling growlers.

02/01/2021

If you haven't had Jorge's food, you need to.

New Petite León and Pollo Pollo al Carbon in south Minneapolis are terrific—and also a perfect metaphor?

01/06/2021

Newest Governor Walz MN Order for Restaurants and Bars Updated 01/06/21:

As of Sunday January 10th, 2021 at 11:59pm, bars and restaurants can reopen for indoor service at 50% capacity/150 person maximum, 6 people per table, tables 6 feet apart, 2 person groups together at bar top, 6 feet apart from next group, reservations required, must wear a mask if not eating/drinking. All must be closed between 10pm and 8am (not sure why then that the new allowance didn't commence on Monday January 11th at 8:00 a.m.?). The good news is that indoor service can resume.

12/23/2020

NEW COVID RELIEF PASSED AFFECTING RESTAURANTS: On Monday, Congress passed a COVID relief bill that offers significant aid to the Hospitality/Restaurant Industry, particularly as it relates to the Paycheck Protection Program although it also authorizes other funding grants. See the attached helpful guidance from the Independent Restaurant Coalition. Although this legislation has been passed, it still faces a veto threat by President Trump but as of now, that seems unlikely.

11/19/2020

According to the newest MN Executive Order, 20-99, all bars and restaurants have to be closed as of tomorrow, Friday November 20, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. This does not include liquor stores/off-sale. Bars and restaurants can still be open for take-out food and limited alcohol to-go (maximum per order of a 750 ml bottle of wine which is normal size, and a six pack of beer). The Order limits that you can't have more than 5 people in your establishment at a time picking up any take-out order fyi. Nobody likes it but we all have to deal I guess. Hopefully this is the last time. Think about this, when MN initially shut down the industry on March 17, 2020, the average new statewide COVID cases per day was 8. Today it is over 5,000 per day! A good reference to the order and how it works is here:

Learn about Minnesota's plan for reopening.

11/14/2020

As you likely heard, Governor Walz issued an updated Emergency Executive Order yesterday affecting bars and restaurants and other social gatherings. As it relates to bars and restaurants, it goes into effect on Friday night, November 13th at 10pm, and the new regulations are that we are still limited to 50% capacity, but that cannot now exceed 150 people as opposed to the prior 250. Also, that count includes both indoor and outdoor occupancy combined. So if there are 50 patrons in an outdoor area, indoor space would then be limited to a max of 100, etc. The more significant rule imposed affecting the industry is that no alcohol or food can be served OR consumed after 10pm. Yes, that means that 10pm is temporarily closing time across the board which will be a significant economic hit for many. Establishments are still allowed to serve food and beer and wine after 10pm on a to-go or delivery basis as before. And, no sitting at the bar area-which is also very significant. The Order references "counter service" and this is what that language refers to-the bar top. The Order also directs more economic relief funds to the industry so that may help some who have applied.

Learn about Minnesota's plan for reopening.

10/17/2020

With cooler weather coming, groups up to 10 now allowed together in Minnesota restaurants. The prior rule was four, unless all were from the same household, then it could be six. The new rule does not appear to have any same household language, so 10 it is with no restrictions.

Minnesota officials have loosened some key restrictions involving restaurants and specified how many spectators may attend indoor high school games.

10/02/2020

Good article in Mpls/St. Paul Mag.

https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/foodie/dear-mr-mayor-save-restaurants/?

More than 40 downtown Minneapolis restaurants are asking the mayor for help.

09/22/2020

If this affects you, the economic nexus threshold in Minnesota is more than $100,000 in sales or at least 200 transactions in the state during the prior 12-month period.

The burden of compliance starts as soon as a business starts making sales in an economic nexus state, because it’s necessary to determine whether economic nexus has been established. All states except Kansas provide an exception for companies selling ...