Distiller magazine a publication of the American Distilling Institute, the Voice of Artisan Distilling; devoted to the craft spirits industry: vendors and distillers alike.
Issue link: http://distilling.uberflip.com/i/1306663
fall 2020 | 163 From Concept to Pallet For Spirits & Wine In Flexible Stand-up Pouches Cans & Bottles Good Time Beverages 9234 Hall Rd, Downey, CA how fragile this industry is and the style of work that we do, but still how necessary we are to the general public. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people come into work when they shouldn't because they can't afford to miss their $200 shift to only make $50 in sick pay. ose times have to stop. We deserve to take time off for a couple weeks' vacation with our families, we deserve to get to stay home when we're sick or injured and we deserve to have a retirement to look forward to. ere was a time when being a bartender was a respected position in a community. I see that coming back more everyday and I believe we are moving toward having the same allowances and benefits that most other industries in this country are provided. What do you see as your biggest needs going forward? Steven: e biggest need I believe will help our industry is the loosening of the archaic ABC laws that we all are still having to abide by. I believe in the same way that reg- ulations are loosening for marijuana — i.e., letting adults be adults and trusting them to do that — they need to be loosened for us as well. So far, the small sample we've seen from to-go cocktails has been unbelievably effective, profitable and, in some cases, it's keeping businesses afloat right now. I still have not heard of any issues arising from that. Shocker that the 80-year-old laws against it aren't relevant or correct any longer. It has been great to see local municipalities opening up consumption in more public gathering places. So far once again it has been effective and generated more sales. I believe that ABC passing regulations allowing for local governments to have the ability to permanently cre- ate open public areas that they deem are appropriate for drinking and responsible safe gathering will help all small businesses. When I can sell a daiquiri to someone in 100 degree heat, they'll finish that and then their next stop is a local shop with A/C. Who isn't guilty of buying more things than planned once you have a little liquid courage? Ultimately, the point of this is to keep people involved and present in their communities rather than going home and running up a long Amazon shopping list; they get plenty of our money already. It's 2020 and restaurant and bar workers make up 10–15% of the working population. How do we not have a seat at the table or any voice in making, passing or providing insight into lawmaking of the alcohol industry? It's time to revisit these outdated laws and start thinking toward the future and how we can adapt to the times. ese are scary times, but we can get through them if we listen and grow. END drinkatdukes.com