Lifeline bill for distillers passes New York Legislature

If signed by the governor and enacted into law, the bill will authorize the shipment of alcoholic beverages within New York and to states where direct-to-consumer shipping is legal and that have equivalent license classes. 

The bill will allow New York distillers to ship their liquor, cider, mead and braggot directly to consumers.

Letting small businesses ship directly to customers will allow them to better compete with their larger, nationwide rivals, New York State Distillers Guild President Brian Facquet said. Most are too small to be represented at stores outside their home turf.

“New York State’s distillers produce some of the highest quality spirits in the world, but many of us lack the financial strength to compete in the global spirits industry,” he said.

The law would let makers ship product to tourists who aren’t able to carry it home from a distillery, and allow them to order more once they get back home.

Direct-to-consumer shipping was temporarily authorized during the Covid-19 pandemic, proving it could be done safely and easily, proponents of the bill said.

Teresa Casey, New York State Distillers Guild executive director, called the legislation a “common-sense extension of the farm-celebrating businesses facilitated by the farm beverage licenses.”

“Businesses that are now struggling for lack of access to their markets will be able to send their products to the consumers who want them,” she said. “These small businesses will be in a position to grow and thrive, and no other small businesses will be hurt, including the retail stores, most of which simply can’t allocate shelf space to our small producers.”

In addition to craft makers, the law would boost tourism and agriculture, said Scott Ramsey, executive director of the New York Cider Association.

“We have seen the value this has added to our state’s economy from the New York wine industry for decades and are thrilled to know the vast majority of our legislators support New York cider and New York spirits having the same opportunity,” he said.

“Most importantly, this bill will be invaluable for New York’s ownership of the craft beverage sector for all parties involved, including retailers and distributors,” he said.

Indochino, a custom suit store, will open at Walden Galleria on Aug. 16.

The Vancouver-based retailer takes a customer’s measurements, apparel is custom made in China, then shipped to the customer’s door within four to six weeks. Customers choose from a variety of fabrics and personalization options, including lapels, pockets, buttons, linings and monograms.

In addition to suits, the retailer sells made-to-measure shirts, chinos, blazers and overcoats. The 2,500-square-foot store will be located on the mall’s lower level, across from Urban Outfitters and near Apple.

Residents in North Buffalo can now order high-speed internet service from Rochester-based Greenlight Networks. The fiber-to-home service will be available this fall. Construction is already underway, with service to more than 2,600 homes expected by September.

Greenlight is now available on the East and West Sides of Buffalo, as well as in Cheektowaga, North Tonawanda and the Village of Lancaster. By the end of the year, it is expected to have more than 30,000 Erie County homes on its network.

Wicked Warren’s, a $2.35 million restaurant, craft brewery and banquet facility, will open July 13 in the former Jamestown Brewing Co. site at 115-121 W. Third St. in Jamestown. It will feature music, banquet space, a merchandise store, a “speakeasy room” and, eventually, a rooftop) bar. 

Owner Robert Roth owns another Wicked Warren’s in Warren, Pa. – a brewery and pizzeria.

Empire Visionworks, an optometrist at 2680 Delaware Ave., has closed. The store, in the Delaware Consumer Square Plaza, sold eyeglasses and performed eye exams. The closest Empire Visionworks location is now at 1308 Niagara Falls Boulevard in the Town of Tonawanda.

Niagara Falls got its first state-licensed cannabis dispensary earlier this month. Upstate Exotics cut the ribbon at 9200 Niagara Falls Boulevard, northeast of Military Road. The owner is Jaylin Smith.

Niagara Falls is also home to Nativa Cannabis, a recreational cannabis dispensary that is licensed by the Seneca Nation. It is located on the corner of John B. Daly Boulevard and Niagara Street, next to the Seneca One Stop fuel station and convenience store on the Nation’s sovereign Niagara territory.

Education really does pay. Here’s a look at how much.

The Buffalo Niagara job market took a step back in May, but economists say it’s no reason to worry – yet.

Josh Allen is appearing in a Pepsi commercial.

A pair of local business groups are moving to new offices.

The state is cracking down on illegal pot shops.

UB researchers say telemedicine helps limit Hepatitis-C.

The Save-A-Lot in the Broadway market is closing, but its impact is much broader.

A South Buffalo manufacturer is expanding.

Local wages are rising. Here’s how much.

Graycliff is getting a new – and bigger – visitors center.

A Niagara Falls movie theater is set to become a car parts center.

A Canadian developer plans to turn the former Howard Johnson hotel in Niagara Falls into a music venue.

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. So you want to own a golf course? It’s not all fun and games.

2. The evolution of Viridi Parente in a changing market.

3. Some development projects are running into a new problem: They can’t tap into enough electricity.

4. A closer look at the Rails on Main apartment project.

5. The Buffalo Niagara region’s people problem is getting worse − and that’s bad for business.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.