Crystal Stump (owner and CEO of ABC Consulting and former Virginia ABC Special Agent from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority) is going to talk about the Bed & Breakfast alcohol license and how you can benefit from this license, if you run a B&B, in the state of Virginia.
Pour yourself a drink; you’re going to need it!
If you operate a Bed & Breakfast and you want to offer alcoholic beverages to your guests, you are going to need to be licensed, in order to operate legally. We aren’t attorneys and if you need legal advice, we recommend you seek an attorney, but we can tell you this: If you are selling alcohol or giving alcohol to your guests, without a license, that is illegal. With a bed & breakfast license, overnight and paying lodgers can be provided complimentary alcoholic beverages. Here are a few more bullet points about this license:
- You can only have 15 bedrooms with this license.
- You have to provide one meal to your overnight lodgers (doesn’t have to be breakfast, actually).
- Make sure you have a map or aerial view of your property as part of your license application – you may want to designate alcohol being served on a patio, porch or in the dining room.
- By the way, if you provide a concierge service (where you shop for your guests), you are allowed to pick them up wine and beer.
NOTE: You cannot sell the alcohol or upcharge to include the alcohol – it can only be provided complimentary. You cannot give away alcohol without a license, in the state of Virginia. Giving away a complimentary beverage as part of a service (or an overnight stay) is considered a sale – we don’t want anyone to get in trouble! Bottom line – don’t “sell” alcohol, if you aren’t licensed. The state of Virginia has arrested several nail salon owners, recently, because they gave away a complimentary alcoholic drink. If you are interested in getting a Bed & Breakfast ABC license, let’s talk. 800-785-0161
I do have other videos about how to apply for a license, what else ABC Consulting can do if you use us to put together your application (if you use us, it takes us about 45 days to get our clients licensed, with a 30-day objection period). Forty-five days gives us plenty of time to make sure that your business qualifies and that you are applying for the correct license. For example: if you just want to serve alcohol on one-particular day (a festival or wedding), you might not be the right licensee!
Back in 2009, I (Crystal Stump) left the ABC Authority from the Enforcement Division (I was a Special Agent) because I saw a need to help businesses navigate their way through the unknown waters of licensing.
Thank you for tuning into our video – if you haven’t subscribed, please do so! If you find this video educational and informative, please give us a Thumbs Up! This channel is perfect for future and current ABC licensees. Each week, we publish a new video discussing different license types, compliance, regulations and trainings available for your business. Being compliant will save you money – which is the whole purpose of this consulting business – to keep you compliant, save you money and educate you about the ABC regulations in the state of Virginia. If you aren’t in the state of Virginia, we can help with Federal licenses. If you only need a one-day license for your wedding or non-profit event, we can educate you about that, too. Thanks for watching; Cheers! 800-785-0161
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