A proposal to let smaller restaurants serve alcoholic beverages to diners is being touted by Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester) as a "common sense" measure to help small businesses.

We agree.

Under the law, restaurants would be able to serve patrons drinks at their tables provided the eatery does not have a full bar. The new license would not be based on population as current licenses are and would limit the serving of drinks to the lunch or dinner table.

The law envisioned by Burzichelli would also make it much easier for a restaurant to get a license. Currently the licenses can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Under the assemblyman's proposal, the fee for the new license would be $3,000 for a business of 1,500 to 3,000 square feet and $10,000 for a business of 3,001 to 6,000 square feet. Another license would also be available to limit a restaurant's sales of alcohol to beer and wine. That license would cost $1,500 for smaller restaurants and $5,000 for larger ones, and restrict the hours of sale to noon until 10 p.m.

The availability of alcohol always raises concerns and it should. But Burzichelli's bill would not overrule local laws that prohibit alcohol sales. Those towns that want to remain "dry" can -- unless they want to change their laws.

And some towns are. Elmer recently took a small step toward allowing alcohol sales when it amended its liquor ordinance to allow eateries that meet the rules to offer New Jersey wines for sale by the bottle only, not by the glass.

Burzichelli's proposal can be a boost for smaller restaurants. It will allow them to complete with those that already have liquor licenses, providing the financial boost to the bottom line that alcohol sales can add.

Those businesses which already have liquor licenses would also be looked out for in Burzichelli's bill. It has a clause that would offer tax credits for businesses that already hold traditional licenses.

The proposed new liquor license is one more way to help new and even established eateries gain an edge in what is a highly competitive business in our state.

One of the aims of the bill is to help those restaurants trying to establish a foothold in redevelopment areas. A good eatery in such a zone is a needed draw.

With the proper safeguards, Burzichelli's liquor license plan may mean the difference between life or death for some businesses.

It's a sensible plan. Let's give it a try.

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