Liquor Licenses and Gift Baskets Don’t Always Mix
Liquor licenses continue to be a frequently-asked question at gift basket classes. I also talk about liquor laws at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
A newspaper article recently made public on the Web explained another side of getting a liquor license that I didn’t realize, and perhaps you also want to know.
Most cities have reached their maximum for issuing these licenses, so if you want one, you must buy it from a licensed store that’s closing. The inflated price must be staggering. And it doesn’t end there.
Once you and the seller come to a price agreement, transfer paperwork must be completed to let your city, county, or other issuing department know that you are the person purchasing the license.
Is all of this worth it just to tell clients that you can add liquor to their gift baskets?
This transfer option is, of course, only available to retail stores, not to home-based designers.
Wine and liquor alternatives are abundant. From ciders to flavored beverages, in traditional bottles or unique containers, there’s something non-alcoholic to include that will intoxicate your clients without liquors’ involvement.
If you are still searching for a liquor license, how do you see it increasing your business?
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6 Responses to “Liquor Licenses and Gift Baskets Don’t Always Mix”
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Thanks for sharing this pertinent information about alcohol. Home based gift basket businesses are flirting with danger if they elect to add alcoholic products to their gift baskets–and this includes chocolates filled with liquer.
I’m so glad that designers have many options beyond wines and alcohols as gift basket product selections.
It’s better to focus on what can be included rather than what’s excluded. From there, you can promote and sell more to the people who enjoy selecting and giving the extraordinary gifts you create.
Good to raise awareness of this issue.
Anyone selling an alcoholic beverage (beer, wine or spirits) must have a license issued by the appropriate State liquor control agency, and that includes putting these products in gift baskets for sale.
Sales without a license, at least in California, is a misdemeanor that can result in criminal penalties. Ouch! No one wants that.
No one wants that is right, Lauren. It’s just not worth the hassle and heart palpitations.
There are so many alternatives, which is a boon to this industry.
I’m just starting to flirt with the idea of adding gift baskets to my website. So I’m very glad I found your blog, because now I know more about this business and what to stay away from. Thanks for all the great free info you have on your site.
Hi Norma,
I’m pleased that you’re here and are able to take what you learn and successfully add gift baskets to your Web site.
The newsletter, published every Wednesday and Sunday, may also be beneficial. You can subscribe to it at http://www.GiftBasketBusiness.com/newsletter.htm.