200 Raleigh businesses are waiting for city to OK their beer and wine licenses

About 1 in 3 businesses that applied for a city of Raleigh beer and wine license this year had not received them as of Thursday morning, despite a new online process that was supposed to be more efficient

Businesses that sell beer and wine in Raleigh must have a beer and wine license and renew it annually by April 30.

The city received more than 600 license applications this year and had issued about 400 by Thursday morning, said David Fitzgerald, revenue services manager with the city,

The remaining 200 were expected to be approved by the end of the day, he said — two days past the deadline.

Starting this year, businesses could no longer submit applications by mail and had to use an online application.

“The new process is much more efficient,” Fitzgerald said, “but because this is a new implementation the initial issuing of the licenses has taken us slightly longer to get through.”

“We have staff that are assisting license applicants on the phone and will continue to do so until all applications are submitted and issued,” he said.

What happens when a license is delayed?

Nick Walters, co-owner of The Pour House in downtown Raleigh, said he got his license on Wednesday but only after hours of calling the city and, eventually, going to the city’s office in person.

“I probably spent two hours on the phone last Thursday, just trying to get in touch with somebody and getting passed back and forth,” he said. “And then just having to leave work for the day when I had meetings and all the things to ensure that I could do business that day in a legal capacity, it just shouldn’t be that way.”

Walters expressed his frustration on social media and, afterward said he heard from other business owners who still didn’t know if they were approved and didn’t know if they should risk opening up their businesses.

“It’s a risk,” he said. “Do we open up and hope that the city is taking care of this thing? Or do we close down because we don’t want to risk the fines and fees and potential removal of license that is a byproduct of not having the licenses available and on display.”

Walters was told that since he’d paid he could show the ABC Commission or Alcohol Law Enforcement his receipt, but he said they are required to have a printed copy of that license.

“I don’t understand why the city can’t give us a straight answer as to why our permits aren’t issued, why we’re not able to have some transparency or at least communication,” he said. “A message through the portal saying, ‘Hey, we were delayed, but you guys are good. Don’t sweat this, everything’s fine,’ would have at least been the bare minimum that they could have done.

“But we didn’t even get that,” he said. “And honestly, I felt like I was treated like some kind of rabble-rouser for going to the office and talking about it.”

Tax, not a permit

All existing and new licensees were required to create an online account and apply for each business location online, according to the city’s website.

Once a business submits an application and pays the fee, it is licensed, Fitzgerald said, adding businesses can now get a printable license through the online portal instead of having to wait for the city to mail one.

The city normally sees about 900 license applications each year, with about 20% to 25% arriving after the deadline. Notices to renew are sent out in April.

Walters said The Pour House got a notice to renew on April 7 and filled out its application on April 12.

Raleigh’s beer and wine license is a tax and not a permit to sell beer and wine, which is regulated by the state through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

“An applicant is not in violation if they have submitted a valid application but have not had a printable license issued,” Fitzgerald said.

Licenses cost between $5 and $15, depending on whether they sell the beer and wine to be consumed on site or taken home, according to the city.