North Carolina Tweaks Law, Allows for More Cigar Bars

[JohnS]

Some good news for those of you who live in North Carolina...

July 9, 2024 - Charlie Minato

North Carolina Tweaks Law, Allows for More Cigar Bars

A last-minute addition to a bill related to alcohol sales in the state of North Carolina should expand the number of cigar bars.

Yesterday, Gov. Roy Cooper signed S.B. 527, a bill related to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission. In the bill is text that critics have described as a last-minute addition that will make it a lot easier to own or operate a cigar bar in North Carolina. While the state already allows for cigar bars—places that allow for cigar smoking and serve liquor—previously, those businesses were required to be the only entity located in standalone buildings. Now, the rules have changed. If a cigar bar serves food, it must be located in a standalone building. But if a cigar bar does not serve food, it does not need to be located in a standalone building.

This will greatly increase the number of locations where a cigar bar could be located and likely means that many existing cigar stores may be eligible to become a cigar bar.

The headline change of the bill is that it allows for cocktails-to-go.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/north-carolina-tweaks-law-allows-for-more-cigar-bars/440627/

[MrFolgers]

This is fantastic news.

[El Presidente]

Nice win. 

 

[Greenhorn2]

Finally, a good thing happening in NC.

[Chibearsv]

On 7/10/2024 at 4:15 PM, JohnS said:

If a cigar bar serves food, it must be located in a standalone building. But if a cigar bar does not serve food, it does not need to be located in a standalone building.

Anybody have thoughts on why this distinction is made? I'm lost on why serving food makes a difference to whether it's in a strip mall or not. Maybe to make it feel like the new law is a compromise? Or are all restaurants stand alone buildings in NC?