Several local businesses on board with bill that would permanently allow carry-out booze 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Several bar owners say carry-out booze helped them stay afloat this past year and many don’t want to see those drinks go.

“I mean when we were completely shut down, when we just had to do to–go, it was a big deal,” Cody Schmick, part owner of Boombox Social said.

An emergency order that let restaurants and bars offer carry-out alcoholic drinks could become permanent state law under a new bill, sponsored by Nebraska Sen. Suzanne Geist. LB 72 would build off of Governor Ricketts’ temporary executive order to help restaurants and bars stay afloat during the pandemic and bring back some lost revenue due to mandated restrictions brought on by COVID-19.

“At this point we need any kind of revenue stream that will add to what we are currently doing,” Schmick said. “So we can maybe play a little catch up, you know everyone got behind this last year.”

Under the bill, drinks would only be sold to-go if they’re sealed shut in a container and not consumed in any way while in your vehicle.

Although they say to-go drinks won’t pay the rent, it has/will help keep their lights on and ultimately kept them from furloughing employees over the last 12 months. The pandemic has changed the way people ‘ go out for a drink’ and local business owners say they need to adjust.

“Customers behavior has changed and it’s our job to create any experience and if that means your experience is at home, we want to create that for you,” Matt Taylor, owner of Tavern on the Square and Other Room said.

While both bar owners and Senator Geist see the benefits of the bill, they’re aware others may be opposed. Some have said they worry these drinks could cause a spike in DUI’s.