LICENSING
Do I need a grocery store/drug store license?
If you intend to sell beer and/or wine product for off premises consumption, you need a grocery store or drug store license.1
Can I be a licensed grocery store/drug store owner in New York State?
Statutory Disqualifiers
The following are the five categories of person who cannot hold an SLA license:
- persons who have been convicted of any felony, or promoting or permitting prostitution, or sale of liquor without an alcoholic beverage license;2
- persons under the age of 21;
- persons who are not a United State citizen, an alien admitted to the United State for permanent lawful residence, or a citizen of a reciprocal trade nation (see SLA Advisory #2015-21);
- persons whose alcoholic beverage license was revoked for cause within the past 2 years;
- persons who are police officers/police officials.
Tied House
Unlike with other retail license, the “tied house law” does not prohibit a person who holds a direct or indirect interest in any manufacturing or wholesale business in another state, or abroad (not one in New York State) from holding a grocery store or drug store license in New York State.
Must I have a physical location in New York State to be licensed? Or can I be strictly an internet business?
In order to be licensed as a grocery store or drug store in New York State, you must have a brick and mortar store in the state that is regularly open to the public. You may sell to consumers over the internet, but not exclusively.
Grocery Store Beer: Allows a person to sell beer, cider, and mead for off premises consumption from a premises being operated as a grocery store at which at least 50% of the retail space is for the sale of the following items: food (which does not include alcoholic or carbonated beverages), household items, and personal health and hygiene items. See SLA Advisory #2022-27 for examples of products which fall within each category. The license is good for 3 years.
Grocery Store Beer and Wine Products: Allows a person to sell beer, cider, mead, and wine products for off premises consumption from a premises being operated as a grocery store at which at least 50% of the retail space is for the sale of the following items: food (which does not include alcoholic or carbonated beverages), household items, and personal health and hygiene items. See SLA Advisory #2022-27 for examples of products which fall within each category. The license is good for 3 years.
Drug Store Beer: Allows a person to sell beer, cider, and mead for off premises consumption from a premises being operated as a New York State licensed drug store. The license is good for 3 years.
Drug Store Beer and Wine Product: Allows a person to sell beer, cider, mead, and wine products for off premises consumption from a New York State licensed drug store. The license is good for 3 years.
How much does a grocery store/drug store license cost?
Retail licensing fees are dependent on what county the establishment will do business in. See the schedule of retail license fees here.
What steps should I take before applying?
If time is of the essence in opening your doors (and we know it usually is), you should first check with SLA to understand processing times and to be able to plan accordingly. Email [email protected]. Additionally, before applying you should get a filing receipt from the Secretary of State after registering your corporation or LLC or obtain a business certificate from your county clerk for your sole proprietorship or partnership.
Where do I find the grocery store/drug store application?
From our homepage: www.sla.ny.gov, visit Licenses -- Get a License. From there you will find the Application Wizard, which will guide you to the correct application.
Is a temporary retail operating permit available while my application is pending review?
Current eligibility for temporary retail operation permits can be found here.
Where do I find the temporary retail permit application?
From our homepage: www.sla.ny.gov, visit Forms Quick Find in the footer. Use the search function to find the application. Please include the temporary retail permit application with your main retail license application.
What must I submit with my license application?
Once you have downloaded (or emailed yourself) the correct application and instructions, you will also be given a checklist of all necessary items and a coversheet including the correct amount to submit along with the application.
When can I sell alcoholic beverages?
Once you’ve received approval of your application and your license certificate. A conditional approval is not sufficient – as you must meet the conditions set forth before final approval may be granted.
PRIVILEGES
What alcoholic beverages may I sell at my grocery store or drug store?
A grocery store - beer may sell beer, cider and mead.
A grocery store – beer/wine products may sell beer, cider, mead, and wine products.
A drug store - beer may sell beer, cider, and mead.
A drug store – beer/wine products may sell beer, cider, and wine products.
Can I sell alcoholic beverages on the internet?
Yes, in addition to the sales which take place at your store, you may also take orders over the internet. Those internet orders may be picked up at the store by the customer, or they may be delivered to a customer’s New York State residence - they may not be delivered to a commercial business location. If delivery is made by motor vehicle, that vehicle must either be registered to the licensee (in the same name as the license) and a copy of the license should be in the vehicle, or that vehicle must have a trucking permit issued by the SLA.
Can I sell alcoholic beverages to out of state residents?
It depends on the laws of the other state.
Can I conduct tastings at my store?
Yes, you may conduct tastings of beer. Tastings of beer are limited to three 3-ounce samples per day, per person.
Additionally, you may have an entity with a marketing permit conduct a tasting at your store of any product you may yourself sell.
COMPLIANCE
Can I employ:
Someone who has been convicted of a felony?
Yes, a felony conviction is not a bar to employment for off premises retail licensees.
A minor?
A minor (person under the age of 18) can be employed by a grocery store or drug store licensee (1) to handle and deliver alcoholic beverages, and (2) as a cashier when in the presence and direct supervision of a person of the age of 18 or older, or (3) in a position requiring the handling of empty containers in the direct supervision of a person of the age of 21 or older.
A police officer?
Yes, a police officer can work in a licensed grocery store or drug store with the permission of his or her commanding officer.
Who can I buy alcoholic beverages from?
You must purchase all of your inventory from either a licensed wholesaler or a licensed manufacturer.
Who can I sell alcoholic beverages to?
Anyone who is at least 21 years of age and is not intoxicated.
Must I ask for ID from all patrons?
You are not required to ask for ID from anyone. However, since it is your legal obligation not to sell to anyone under the age of 21, proper policies with regard to IDing will prevent you from being fined and/or losing your license.
What are acceptable forms of ID?
The following photographic documents can be accepted as proof of age for the purchase of alcoholic beverages: (a) a valid driver's license or non-driver identification card issued by: New York State; the Federal Government; any State Government within the United States; the District of Columbia; any Commonwealth, Possession or Territory of the United States; or a Provincial Government of Canada; (b) a valid U.S. passport; (c) a valid passport of any other country; or (d) a valid military ID from the U.S.
College identifications, employee identification cards or any other form of identification not listed above cannot be accepted as the primary proof of age, but can be used as a secondary means to verify the identity of the person.
Can I sell to another retailer (package stores, restaurants, bars, etc.)?
No, you may only sell to an end consumer.
Must I notify the Authority before making a change in ownership?
Yes, if you plan to take on or remove owners/investors, change shares of ownership, or appoint or remove officers/directors/members, before making those changes, you must submit and wait for the approval of a corporate change application. A corporate change application can be found here.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes, where a corporation/LLC or has 10 or more stockholders/members and a change involves less than 10% of the stock holdings/ownership of the corporation/LLC and no stockholders/members total holdings/ownership are increased to 10% or more.
Can another business entity operate on my licensed premises?
No, you must have exclusive control of the premises, you cannot allow another business entity to operate there.
What do I do if I need to close for some period of time?
If any circumstance keeps you from operating the licensed premises for 2 weeks or more, you should return your physical license certificate to the nearest SLA zone office for safekeeping for the time which your business will not be operating. Failure to place your license in safekeeping could result in disciplinary charges. SLA Advisory #2015-5.
Must I notify the Authority before I make changes to the store?
Yes, any significant change requires the filing of an alteration application before renovations begin. The form may be found here. A significant change includes:
- • Any enlargement or contraction of the premises.
- • Any physical change that reduces visibility.
- • Any other change that materially affects the character of the premises.
Must I notify the Authority about minor changes?
Yes, you must file an affidavit request for any change costing less than $10,000 which does not affect the character or structure of the premises. If the request is not denied within 20 days, it is deemed approved on the 25th day from after filing.
How do I notify the Authority of minor changes in the business?
An endorsement application is used for minor changes such as the following:
- Name or Address corrections on the license certificate
- Court appointments of representative
- Dissolution of partnership or addition of partner
- Principal name changes due to marriage or divorce
- Amendment to the corporate name of the licensed premises when there is no change in ownership or corporate entity.
An endorsement application may be found here.
Where do I need to post my license and warning signs?
Your original license certificate must be enclosed in a frame and behind glass and placed in a conspicuous location at the licensed premises. Your pregnancy warning sign must be placed as close as possible to where alcoholic beverages are being sold. Your sale to minors and intoxicated persons sign must be displayed in a conspicuous location at the licensed premises.
How do I request a replacement license certificate or warning sign?
Submit a written request for a replacement certificate or signs signed by an authorized principal. For a license, the request must contain a statement as to what may have happened to the license, e.g. lost, stolen, damaged. The request should be emailed to: [email protected].
What hours can I sell?
Please visit here to see the hours in your county.
Where can I store my product?
You may store your product at your licensed premises or at an SLA permitted warehouse (belonging to a third party).
Must I provide a customer a bag in which to place his/her alcoholic beverage?
The ABC Law does not require an alcoholic beverage to be placed in a bag when being carried out of an off premises retail establishment.
1 Note that a grocery store and a drug store may also sell cider and mead. Note as well that beer can be sold for off premises consumption by an on premises retailer (restaurant, tavern, etc.). Lastly, note that beer can be sold for off premises consumption by a C Wholesaler (a beverage center, commonly), but that that license is no longer available to apply for and a licensed business must be purchased, and that license applied for.
2 The ABC Law provides that a pardon, certificate of good conduct, or a certificate of relief from disabilities may be obtained to allow a person convicted of a disqualifying crime to hold a license.