Judge Denies MLBA Petition to Allow Minnesota Public Safety Department to Renew Liquor Licenses

As many as 700 liquor stores, bars and restaurants that failed to renew liquor licenses before the July 1 government shutdown could find themselves unable to sell alcohol after Aug. 1, a judge ruled Monday.  

Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled against a petition filed by the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) to allow Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety to issue “Buyer’s Cards” to licensed alcoholic beverage retailers.

According to Richfield Liquor Stores manager Bill Fillmore, his card is valid until the end of 2011, which is good news for any Richfield libation connoisseurs.

A Buyer’s Card would allow the retailers to continue purchasing and selling alcoholic beverages “necessary to the ongoing viability of their businesses” through the duration of the shutdown.

Without a Buyer’s Card, however, the retailers cannot purchase beverages with more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight.

More than 6,000 retailers require Buyer’s Cards to purchase alcohol, according to the MLBA petition. The cards are renewed annually.

“Currently there are over 300 retailers statewide who are unable to receive a Buyer’s Card necessary to purchase liquor,” read the petition. “If the shutdown persists 400 additional retailers will lose their authorization to purchase alcoholic beverage by Aug. 1, 2011.”

Judge Gearin’s advice to members of the MLBA: “The Court urges the Association members to make the compelling arguments regarding the impact of the shutdown on hundreds of small liquor establishments to the Governor and their local legislators.”

Gearin said that if the shutdown continues past July 24, the MLBA should contact Ramsey County District Court to schedule a hearing.

Richfield Patch has also reached out to MLBA member and Richfield business to see if its card is up to date, however there was no response by the time this article was published. If a response is given, this article will be updated with the new information.