05/21/2025 Closing Hours for Liquor and Wine Stores in Albany County

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SUBJECT: Closing hours for liquor and wine stores in Albany County

PURPOSE: To gather public input on the proposed change in hours of operation for liquor and wine stores in Albany County

DATE/TIME: May 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Room 115 - 80 South Swan Street, Albany, NY 12210

The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) will hold a public hearing on May 21, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building. During the hearing, the SLA will gather public input on proposed changes in the hours of operation for off-premises wine and liquor sales in Albany County. An SLA Administrative Law Judge will preside over the hearing.

On April 11, 2025, the SLA received a resolution adopted by the Albany County Legislature requesting that the SLA modify the hours of operation for the off-premises sale of wine and liquor. Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, upon receipt of a resolution by a county legislature, the SLA is required to hold a public hearing in the county requesting a change in hours. On April 24, 2025, the Members of the SLA voted to schedule a public hearing at the Alfred E. Smith Building in Albany, New York on May 21.

Currently, Albany County allows liquor and wine stores to be open for off-premises sales from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday to Saturday between January 8 and November 14; from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Monday to Saturday between November 15 and January 7; and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday year-round. Under the proposed changes, hours would be extended to 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. year-round and Sunday hours would remain the same.

Any person who wishes to speak either in support or in opposition to the proposed change is encouraged to attend the hearing. Speakers will be heard in the order they sign in at the hearing site. Attendees wishing to speak may sign in beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing. If a person who wishes to attend the hearing requires an interpreter, the SLA will provide an interpreter at no cost, provided a request for an interpreter is received via email at [email protected] at least 96 hours in advance of the hearing.

Any person who is unable to attend the hearing but who wishes to be heard may submit a written statement to the SLA. To become part of the record, written statements must be emailed or postmarked no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2025. Written statements should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

NEW YORK STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY

ATTN: SECRETARY'S OFFICE

80 SOUTH SWAN STREET, SUITE 900 ALBANY, NEW YORK 12210

RE: ALBANY COUNTY HEARING

Please note, a final determination on whether to modify the hours of sale for liquor and wine stores in Albany County will not be made on May 21, 2025. This decision will be made by the Members of the Authority at a Full Board meeting following receipt and review of the written report of the public hearing.