Michigan restaurants are selling food for takeout and delivery during the coronavirus pandemic, but one chunk of their revenue stream has dried up completely – cocktail sales.

State law prohibits bars and restaurants from selling cocktails off-premises, which means the governor’s stay-at-home order and ban on dining in at eateries through April 30 effectively prohibits the sale of cocktails.

There's a push to change that, from people like Mark Sellers, the founder of Max's South Seas Hideaway in Grand Rapids.

"We don't want any money," Sellers said. "We just want to be able to sell the products that we normally sell when the restaurant's open."

Sellers is asking the state government to allow for cocktail sales for takeout or delivery during the stay-at-home order. A Change.org petition started by a group of restaurant and bar owners has nearly 5,000 signatures, as of Tuesday, April 14.

At Max’s, cocktails account for about 95 percent of drink sales, Sellers said. Cocktail sales make up a majority of the business’ profits, he said.

"They're a much higher (profit) margin than our food, Sellers said. "And they're a lot less labor intensive to make than making a steak or making a burger."

While the presentation of cocktails wouldn't be the same, Sellers said restaurants could seal cocktails in cans and include cherries, orange peels and ice on the side.

He points to other states, like Ohio, which are allowing curbside cocktail sales during the pandemic, as long as customers buy an entree and are 21. Michigan restaurants with specific licenses can already sell beer and wine for delivery and takeout, normally.

But so far, the cocktail idea hasn't had much support from state officials. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is not going to be taking a look at it, MLCC Public Information Officer Jeannie Vogel said.

"We feel that it would certainly compromise public health and safety," Vogel said. "(It) would just not be good public policy to allow curbside sale of cocktails, because it is a controlled substance."

Questions about the issue sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office were forwarded to the MLCC. Vogel said she couldn’t speak for what the governor might do in future orders, but said Monday’s announcement to allow restaurants and bars to sell their liquor back to the state is the current method for giving financial relief.

“It’s nice, but it’s not going to save anybody from going out of business,” Sellers said of the buyback program.

Most restaurants don't have more than $20,000 worth of liquor, he said. And since they can't reopen without buying the liquor back, it equates to a short-term loan.

Only unopened liquor bottles can be sold back to the state, Vogel said.

Sellers hopes the state will reconsider its stance on cocktail delivery and takeout – as it also encourages social distancing, so people don't have to go to stores to get drinks.

“People have been begging for this on our Facebook page,” Seller said. “It’s the easiest sell in the world for politicians, because 90 percent of people would like to be able to order cocktails when they’re forced to stay at home.”

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.

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