South Carolina Alcohol Beverage License Defense Lawyers | Strom Law Firm
Navigating Alcohol Beverage Licensing Issues with Confidence
ABL License laws and regulations, including the South Carolina Alcohol Beverages Control Act, set forth when and if an application for a South Carolina liquor license may be granted by the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Let one of our experienced SC Alcohol Beverage License Defense Lawyers guide you through the permitting process.
S.C. Alcohol Beverage Licensing law sets forth the information and requirements you must follow for the state permit application necessary to obtain and maintain an ABL license. Even if you are a small local S.C. bar, brewery, or restaurant business, your revenue and, ultimately, your livelihood and your employment of others may depend upon revenue generated from selling beer, wine, or liquor on-premises.
When obtaining an SC ABL license is critical to your livelihood, you need to hire a Columbia, SC, alcoholic and beverage license attorney to guide you through the dealings with our state government. Contact us now for a free consultation. 803.252.4800.
Do you need a South Carolina ABL license to sell beer and wine?
The answer is yes; if you plan to sell alcohol, your restaurant needs an S.C. liquor license. Before setting up your restaurant bar, you must research local liquor laws as they vary by state. Then, you’ll need an SC AL liquor license. You can’t even sell one drink without it.
South Carolina Liquor License Types
Our SC liquor licensing attorneys represent clients throughout the hospitality industry, including the following:
- Beer, wine and liquor wholesalers (distributors)
- Breweries / Microbreweries
- Farm Wineries
- Restaurants, nightclubs, and taverns
- Package liquor stores
- Grocery and convenience stores
- Fraternal and social clubs
- Hotels
- Civic centers, stadiums, entertainment complexes, and concert venues
- Municipalities and redevelopment commissions and authorities
- Tobacco shops and cigar bars
- Country clubs and golf courses
- Real estate developers and landlords
- Caterers and Event planners
- Businesses engaging in charitable events
- Other clients were holding alcoholic beverage permits (SC liquor permits or SC liquor licenses) before the South Carolina Department of Revenue and other liquor control boards throughout the United States.
Our ABL License Defense Lawyers also assist clients with matters related to the hospitality industry, including the following:
- Organizing business entities and conducting necessary filings to start a hospitality business.
- Conducting the land use, zoning, and planning analysis and filing the proper petitions for hospitality businesses to operate at specific locations.
- We provide South Carolina legal counsel and litigation services regarding laws affecting health, safety, welfare, and labor and employment matters common to the S.C. hospitality industry.
S.C. ABL License Law Defense:
- Denial of a commercial SC ABL License request;
- Failure to timely renew an SC ABL;
- Issuance of a dishonored check;
- Serving underage patrons at your premises;
- Staying open after hours or beyond permitted law, you must check your local code for additional requirements;
- Improper payment of excise tax, or
- An appeal of the revocation of your SC ABL License,
The best SC liquor license lawyers agree that whether you are applying for an on-premises South Carolina liquor license, a South Carolina on-premises liquor by the drink license, or even seeking a Sunday liquor license, it is crucial to understand that the process is anything but simple. What you may assume to be a simple automated process to obtain a South Carolina license to sell alcoholic liquors is complicated by forms, complex regulations, and administrative law court rulings. Numerous South Carolina alcohol and beverage license applications have been initially denied and must be appealed.
The Government regulations more often cited for denial of an on-premises S.C. liquor license include:
- Proximity to a church, school, or playground;
- Proximity to a neighborhood;
- An allegation of bad moral character;
- Evidence that the area surrounding the proposed premises location is already saturated/suitability of location or not a suitable location.
Fighting Administrative Liquor License Fines or Revocations in South Carolina
Obtaining an SC Liquor License is just the beginning of issues that must occur in your establishment. Whether you are operating with an off-premises liquor license or you operate a restaurant and employ a bartender to serve liquor drinks, charges against a South Carolina license to sell alcoholic liquors are not uncommon. Our experienced ABL License Defense Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC, can help fight your fines and revocation.
Common SC Liquor License Violations for a bar, brewery, restaurant, or club may include:
- They were selling liquor during restricted hours.
- Sale of liquor to underage individuals/sale of liquor to minors
- Violation of limits placed upon a license
- Writing a bad check to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
- Sale of alcoholic liquors by a private club to a non-member or someone who is not a bona fide guest of a member.
- Selling liquor on Sunday without a Sunday liquor license for the property
Reasons for denial of a South Carolina Beer and Wine License Application include:
- How close the proposed permit location is to a church, school, or playground;
- Whether issuance of the S.C. beer and wine license will impact a close neighborhood;
- an allegation that the applicant has bad moral character, including a prior criminal history;
- Testimony or other evidence provided by a protestant that the area surrounding the proposed location is already saturated or that the location is not otherwise suitable.
- Selling beer or wine during restricted hours/after hours.
- Selling beer or wine to an underage individual/sale of beer or wine to minors.
- Violation of limits/exceeding limits placed upon an SC beer and wine license
- Writing a bad check to the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
- Selling beer or wine in a private club to someone who is neither a member nor a bona fide guest of a member.
- Selling beer or wine on Sunday without a Sunday sales license.
If obtaining a South Carolina beer and wine license is essential, our Columbia, South Carolina ABL License Defense Lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. When your livelihood is at stake, let our professional license defense attorneys us give you the advice you through the process.
Retail Liquor Licensing in South Carolina
Businesses in South Carolina must register with the state for a retail license if they wish to sell certain items or services. A retail license in South Carolina registers your business with the state so that you can legally sell new items to the public and helps South Carolina keep up with your business taxes. South Carolina requires every business that sells licenses to the public to register for a retail business license. If you do not file for a retail license before you begin selling to the public, you are breaking the state’s law and may need our ABL License Defense Lawyers. A business with more than one license type is not unusual in South Carolina.
Restaurants, for example, can have both a retail and a wholesale liquor license. Hotels often have bars and restaurants, so they have multiple business and retail licenses to ensure the legality of each operation. Even if you agree to open a retail business similar to the business you already operate, you must apply for a new retail alcohol license; you may not use one license for two stores.
Different types of retail licenses allow you, as a hospitality business owner, to sell food or alcohol, regardless of whether you want to operate as a convenience store, grocery store, beer and wine shop, or even as a restaurant, beer, and wine permits are heavily regulated in South Carolina. What you may assume to be a simple automated process to obtain a South Carolina license to sell alcoholic and wine is complicated by forms, complex regulations, and administrative law court rulings. Numerous South Carolina alcohol and beverage license applications have been initially denied. Regarding those who have obtained a South Carolina beer and wine beverage license, many have had their South Carolina beer and wine licenses suspended or revoked.
You must pay your state, local, and property taxes.
You must pay business taxes, and your retail license will be revoked. Business licenses, especially retail and alcohol beverage licenses, can be very difficult to get back. Paying back taxes can include penalties and interest. Your business could be closed for months while you finish paying and reapplying for your retail license, which means you could lose valuable income and customers. An experienced ABL License Defense Lawyer at the Strom Law Firm can guide you through the licensing process.
Why Choose Strom Law Firm for Your Alcohol Beverage License Defense?
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Experienced Advocacy: Our attorneys have extensive experience in regulatory compliance and defense-related to alcohol beverage licensing.
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Proactive Legal Strategy: We diligently preempt issues before they affect your business operations or license status.
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Dedicated to Your Business: Understanding the impact of alcohol licensing on your business, we tailor our approach to fit your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Call Today for a Free Consultation with our ABL License Defense Lawyers
For businesses in South Carolina facing challenges with alcohol beverage licensing, Strom Law Firm stands ready to offer thoughtful legal advice and strong defense strategies. Contact us to ensure your business remains compliant and operational.
SC liquor license violations are serious and may result in fines, suspension, or even revocation of your South Carolina liquor license. Suspension or revocation of your South Carolina Alcohol license will impact your financial security. If you need more information or help with the issuance of a liquor license, call the ABL License Defense Lawyers at Strom Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation. (803) 252-4800 by email at [email protected] on this website.
