New York liquor stores are considered 'essential' businesses, will stay open
Liquor may, indeed, be essential to getting thorough this COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, New York has determined.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday all nonessential businesses in the state must close beginning this Sunday, ordering all employees to stay at home. Essential businesses that are exempt from this rule include grocery stores and pharmacies. But New Yorkers everywhere cried out in terror as they wondered whether liquor stores would have to close their doors statewide.
Fear not, the New York State Liquor Store Association declared Friday: not even a global pandemic will prevent them from staying open. New York, evidently, has deemed liquor stores an "essential" business, according to a recent executive order from Cuomo giving this classification to "all food and beverage stores," and they'll therefore be allowed to continue operating, per The New York Daily News.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In recent days, New York liquor stores have reportedly been experiencing a heavy amount of business, with one in Brooklyn describing consistent New Year's Eve levels of activity to New York Magazine. "The depth of panic-buying is kind of surprising," proprietor Mark Schwartz said. Now, with the state's go-ahead for New Yorkers to drink up amid the growing coronavirus crisis, The Washington Examiner's Siraj Hashmi joked, "This is how you stop anarchy right in its tracks."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Will growth slow, or is the economy about to fall off a cliff?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Senate passes FAA bill with new consumer protections
Speed Read The legislation will require airlines to refund customers for flight delays
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pledged pro-oil policy to CEOs, asked for $1B
Speed Read The former president promised to reverse Biden's environmental regulations if elected
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published