Fayetteville Today

Local officials are considering allowing bar and restaurant owners in Fayetteville and Cumberland County to return unsold liquor to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) because of the coronavirus, according to a state agency.

The ABC board was scheduled to meet on April 9 to discuss the liquor buyback program. Board chair Lee Boughman told The Fayetteville Observer that he is in favor of the policy, allowing businesses to recoup some of the funds they've lost due to the coronavirus. 

Since the governor banned in-service dining on March 17, the food and liquor service businesses have not been able to sell liquor-based beverages. 

North Carolina bars and restaurants must purchase their liquor from local government-operated liquor stores. 

Bubba's 33, one of the largest liquor buyers in Cumberland County, said it would consider returning its unopened liquor if a buyback policy is implemented, The Fayetteville Observer reported. Bubba's spokesman Travis Doster said the restaurant successfully converted from an in-service diner to providing takeout but it still can't sell draft beer or mixed drinks.

The refund policy would apply to liquor purchased at government-operated stores. Restaurants purchase beer and wine from private vendors. Some brew their beer. Bars and restaurants pay a tax of $3.75 per bottle of liquor and an additional 1 to 5 cents depending on the size of the bottle. 

Timothy Holtsclaw of Scrub Oaks restaurant said he will most likely not seek a refund because the amount of liquor his restaurant maintains is small, according to the publication.

Josh Choi of Winterbloom Tea said he is also going to keep his liquor inventory but thought the buyback option was a good idea for businesses that needed it, according to the publication.  

Margo Metzger, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, said some companies have asked for the refund option as they deal with lower cash flow. The association has raised the issue with both the governor's office and the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, according to the publication.

“Every little bit helps right now as these restaurants and bars try to maintain so they will be able to come out the other side of this and reemploy all those folks they had to lay off,” Metzger told the publication.