Presidents Message

A Summer of Change

 I hope everyone is having a great summer! As I visit with our members in my area, I find it has been a challenging summer for everyone.  Both business owner’s and the Association continue to try to understand the changes of our industry.  Establishments are finding a challenge with our customers having less discressionary income and the Association is working through the challenges of implementing the new “restaurant liquor license” approved during session.

Although the industry as a whole has not felt a decline, bars and restaurants are feeling the pinch of a tighter pocketbook.  I don’t think we will know the final tally until later this fall.  The Association has asked the Dept of Revenue for a declaratory ruling on HB 126 or the full-service restaurant liquor licenses.  We have questions regarding valuation, issuance and transfer of the on-sale licenses.   We have also just learned of the opinion from the Attorney Generals office concerning the City of Sioux Falls and their ordinance that restricts video lottery for on-sale liquor licenses.  It is the opinion of the Attorney General that a city does not have the authority to restrict video lottery beyond what state law allows.

As you can see, your involvement and support of the association is crucial as we struggle with continious changes.  Together we can battle the changes and continue to stay strong.  With that let me introduce our newest members, Bubba’s Bar in Hayti, SD.  John and Jackie Yonkers are the owners.