Opening a liquor store in New York State requires more than finding the right location and signing a lease. Before the New York State Liquor Authority will consider your application, you need to have a specific set of documents and photographs ready to submit. Knowing what is required and getting it right the first time can be the difference between a smooth process or costly and expensive delays.
The Application Documents
The Liquor Authority requires a complete package of supporting documents along with your application. Here is what you will need to gather:
– Signed lease agreement between your or your corporation/LLC and the landlord. If you own the property, you will need a copy of the deed.
– Copy of the asset purchase agreement or contract of sale, if you are purchasing an existing business.
– Corporate or LLC filing receipt.
– Corporate d/b/a certificate, if you are operating under a trade name.
– Interior and area/block plot diagrams prepared according to Liquor Authority specifications. They are very strict about how these must be labeled. At a minimum, you must clearly identify the customer entrance and all alcohol storage areas.
– Color headshot photo for each owner and each person who completed a personal questionnaire.
– Driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID for each person who completed a personal questionnaire.
– Passport, birth certificate, or green card for each person who completed a personal questionnaire.
– Copies of any signed stipulations or agreements with a local community board or municipality regarding the operation of the business, if applicable.
The Required Photographs
The Liquor Authority also requires photographs of the premises taken as the space currently exists when you file your application. You will also need a second set of photos once the space is complete and ready to open. Both sets are required.
Your photos must cover the following areas:
– Front of the premises, taken from outside looking in, showing your sign.
– Back of the premises, from outside looking in.
– Sales floor and shelving area.
– Basement and basement stairs, if applicable.
– Bathroom.
– Storage area.
– Office area.
– Cash register area.
Clear, well-lit photos taken with a cell phone are generally acceptable. The key is that they accurately show the current condition of the space.
New Applicants: The Full Board Hearing
One aspect of the liquor store licensing process that surprises many first-time applicants is the full board hearing requirement. If you are applying for a brand-new license, meaning that there is not a current liquor license at that location, your application will be scheduled for a hearing before the full Liquor Authority Board in Albany. At the hearing, a board member will ask you questions about your application, your background, and your plans for the business. It is a formal proceeding, and preparation matters.
This requirement does not apply in the same way if you are purchasing an existing licensed liquor store. In that scenario, there is no full board hearing required unless the Liquor Authority has a particular issue or concern about the application, or you, or your premises. This is one of several reasons why buying an existing licensed business can be a faster route to opening than starting from scratch.
Getting It Right from the Start
Incomplete applications and missing documents are among the most common reasons for delays in the licensing process. The Liquor Authority reviews thousands of applications per year, and a package that comes in missing items will be sent back, adding weeks or months to your opening schedule.
Knowing what is required before you start and making sure everything is in order before you submit puts you in a much stronger position from the beginning.
*If you have questions about your liquor license or want to get the process started, call or text 631-624-9007, or schedule a phone or video meeting at www.liquorappus.com.*
If you have questions about how this affects your license, or if you’re an on-premises or off-premises licensee with compliance concerns, please contact me here.