Restaurant owner urges state to allow cocktail sales

GREENVILLE, Pitt County — A restaurant owner in Greenville is pushing for the ability to sell cocktails to go in an effort to keep business afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sup Dogs Owner Bret Oliverio is calling on state lawmakers to allow sealed cocktails for takeout and delivery. He says it is already happening across the country, and North Carolina should be next.

States like California, Texas and New York have temporarily allowed for restaurants and bars to sell cocktails with the purchase of food. He says making it possible here will help small business owners who are struggling to make ends meet.

“If the state was really interested in helping local restaurants they would simply allow restaurants to, like every other state, to serve a cocktail to go,” he explains.

Oliverio serves on the Pitt Independent Eateries and says the organization sent a letter to the state urging lawmakers to take action.

“It will save tens of thousands of jobs," he says. "It’ll help a dying restaurant industry in North Carolina."

He says lawmakers have not responded yet.

News Channel 12 reached out to Speaker Tim Moore’s office and the Chair of the House ABC Committee Representative Chuck McGrady Friday afternoon and are awaiting a response.

Mother Against Drunk Driving National reminds people not to drink and drive and ask people to consume alcohol in a safe environment. MADD National President Helen Witty did provide News Channel 12 this statement:

"MADD has never gotten involved in alcohol sales issues provided those sales are to people age of 21 and older. MADD realizes that these are difficult and different times and that some restaurants are being allowed to offer curbside sales and delivery of alcohol. We ask that restaurants and other establishments that do sell alcohol by delivery or takeout do so by making sure that sales are to persons over 21 and follow open-container laws and best practices. We remind the public that it is never OK to drink and drive, and that any alcohol sold should be consumed in a safe location and in accordance with the laws of all 50 states, which have made it illegal to drink while driving."

Oliverio says the General Assembly has the authority to amend the regulations and allow for the takeout and delivery sale cocktails.