January 8th, 2024
BU Today recently published an article by Jay Zagorsky, Clinical Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law discussing Massachusetts liquor license rules.
Is it time to scrap the statewide rules that limit the number of restaurants that can serve liquor in each city and town? Boston is sending the strongest yes signal. The allowable number of licensed restaurants is controlled by the state legislature, causing Massachusetts to have 10% fewer licensed restaurants than the New England average.
Zagorsky adds, “Restaurateurs want liquor licenses because in an industry with notoriously tight margins, alcohol boosts profitability. Serving alcohol helps a restaurant survive because liquor has a longer shelf life and lower labor costs to prepare than food.”
By eliminating the section of state law tying liquor licenses to population, a more flexible and consumer-friendly environment would arise.
