boozeonbar-2

Michigan Provides $3.3-M in Financial Relief for 650+ Bars & Restaurants

boozeonbar-2

More than 650 Michigan bars and restaurants took advantage of the state’s offer recently to buy-back inventory from bar stock at any such business in the state to provide financial relief during the shutdown they are undergoing due to the pandemic. That resulted in more than three-and-a-quarter million dollars being returned to those owners.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that $3.3 million in financial relief went to 657 bar and restaurant owners in that program.

Whitmer says that the financial lifeline averaged over $5,000 for hard-hit hospitality businesses, provided by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) who administrated the governor’s spirits buyback program.

Whitmer says, “I know the financial losses have been incredibly devastating to business owners in the hospitality industry during this COVID-19 pandemic,” and adds, “I am pleased that through this innovative program, we can provide much-needed cash to hundreds of Michigan’s bars and restaurants that are struggling right now, to help tide them over until they’re open for business again.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Your content continues below

Pursuant to the governor’s Executive Order 2020-46, the one-of-a-kind program offered a 100-percent cash buyback to on-premise liquor licensees for spirits they had ordered from the Commission prior to March 16, 2020. Licensees actually keep possession of the products the Commission bought back, with no bottles being picked up. Bars and restaurants have 90 days after emergency declarations are lifted to repurchase the inventory by selling it when they’re back open for business and pay the Commission back interest free.

Michigan Liquor Control Commission Chair Pat Gagliardi says, “The Commission is proud to be a part of the governor’s one-of a kind liquor buyback,” adding, “We’re extremely pleased to provide these neighborhood bars and restaurants across Michigan a financial lifeline they can count on in these uncertain times.”

Eligible licensees applied for the spirits buyback program directly through the MLCC from April 14th-24th. Once applications were approved by the MLCC, checks were issued to licensees from the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Dine-in services of all bars and restaurants in the state were suspended on March 16th by Executive Order as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread.

For more information on the coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency please visit the State of Michigan’s coronavirus website at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.