Albany, NY – This past weekend, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Bill A.7464B/S.409A, proudly co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon. After listening to local business owners, this legislation marks an important victory for the state's bars, restaurant, and catering industry.

Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon and introduced by Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-127), the new law, now Chapter 613 of the Laws of 2025, expands purchasing options for on-premises retail liquor licensees, such as bars and restaurants, to include limited amounts of wine and liquor from an off-premises retail licensee such as a liquor store. Previously, when bars and restaurants ran out of a particular wine and/or liquor, they were offered no flexibility to immediately replenish those bottle options outside of purchasing such products from their wholesaler and waiting sometimes days for delivery, causing patrons to miss-out on their preferred beverages and leading to lost business revenue. This legislation would grant leeway to the state’s bars and restaurants, and enable them to quickly and easily replenish their inventory by allowing the purchase of small quantities of alcohol from a nearby liquor store or off-premises licensed location, without upending the traditional wholesaler-retailer relationship.

“When inventory is popular, especially during the busy holiday season and hot summer months, the ability for businesses to quickly respond to consumer demands is essential to their success and to maintain customer satisfaction,” said Buttenschon.

Key provisions of the new law include:

• Authorizing the purchase of up to six bottles of wine or liquor in the aggregate per week for resale and consumption by on-premises retail licensees, bars and restaurants, from a liquor store or other licensed off-premises locations.
• Extends these provisions to licensed on-premises locations hosting or catering a private event.
• Requires both the purchasing and retail parties to retain receipts for such purchases, and make them available at the request of the state liquor authority.

This act shall take effect ninety days after it shall become law.