ALBANY, NY (WENY)--SOME NEW YORK LIQUOR MANUFACTURERS AND BUSINESSES COULD BE ALLOWED TO SHIP DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS.

BUT THAT ALL RIDES ON THE GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.

SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THE legislation, IF SIGNED, WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT FOR LOCAL FARMS WHO PROVIDE THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
 
ON TOP OF THAT – IT COULD ALSO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES WHO CURRENTLY CANNOT SHIP THEIR WINE, LIQUOR, CIDER, MEAD, AND BRAGGOT PRODUCTS DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS.  
 
“This is going to have a huge impact because they’ve been struggling. They’re not large enough to be in liquor stores and to have the ability to ship direct will be a game changer for them,” said Assembly Member Donna Lupardo (D-Assembly District 123).
 
LUPARDO SAid THIS LEGISLATION COULD HELP SOME SMALL BUSINESSES STAY OPEN.
 
ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY FROM THE New York State Distillers GUILD, FIFTY PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE UNSURE IF THEY WOULD REMAIN OPEN BY THE END OF 2025.  
 
“After we passed the bill I got a text message from the president of the distillers guild, and he said you just saved many businesses in New York State, and we are very grateful. So, I’m convinced of it, that that’s going to be the case,” said Lupardo. 
 
BRIAN MCKENZIE, OWNER OF Finger Lakes DISTILLING, SAID MANY SMALLER DISTILLERIES DON’T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS WITH LARGER DISTRIBUTORS.  
 
HE ADDED THE LEGISLATION COULD HELP HIS BUSINESS GROW ONLINE SALES, AND GAIN ADDITIONAL CLIENTS.  
 
“The ability to be able to ship is something we’re looking at as a revenue generator for us,” he said.  
 
LUPARDO SAid WHILE SHE HASN’T HAD ANY RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS BILL, SHE’S OPTIMISTIC HOCHUL WILL SIGN GIVEN HER SUPPORT FOR THE CRAFT BEVERAGE INDUSTRY.