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Liquor License Renewal 2020-2021

March 19, 2020

As a follow up to Governor Whitmer’s recent Executive Order 2020-05, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) issued an order, extending the deadline for liquor license renewals for the 2020-2021 licensing year.

As a result of the executive order and the actions of the MLCC, all liquor licenses issued by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission, including all on premises, off premises, manufacturer, wholesaler and importer licenses, must be renewed by the extended deadline of May 31, 2020.

In order for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and other liquor licensed operators to retain their licensed status with the ability to furnish and/or sell alcoholic beverages, whether at retail or wholesale, each Michigan licensee must renew their existing licenses on or prior to the extended deadline. The failure of an active licensee to timely renew a license is a violation of the Michigan Liquor Control Code and will subject the license to termination.

For those with licenses currently in escrow, different rules for renewal apply, but these licenses must also be renewed, despite the non-active status of the license. Finally, no exceptions to the renewal rules exist for recently issued licenses: liquor licenses issued in the 2019-2020 licensing year must be renewed by May 31, 2020 as well. Conditional licenses may not be renewed and are in effect for a period of one year from the date of issuance.

The members of Varnum’s Hospitality Practice Team are currently responding to a number of license inquiries and are handling the renewal of the licenses for a number of clients when requested. In the event you would like to obtain our assistance in this regard or have any questions regarding the impact of the State of Michigan’s responses to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us. We would be happy to review and submit the appropriate documentation to the State of Michigan in order to assure that your license is properly renewed and delivered to you on a timely basis to avoid any suspensions of your license.

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hospitality and Alcohol Beverage Control Practice Team, including Christopher P. Baker, 734/372-2922 or [email protected].

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