Lopez, Danielsen, Freiman & DeAngelo Bill to Help Small Businesses Owners Recover Revenue Losses Now Law

(TRENTON) – Legislation helping businesses continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, sponsored by Assembly Democrats Yvonne Lopez, Joseph Danielsen, Roy Freiman, and Wayne DeAngelo was signed into law by the Governor on Wednesday.

The new law (formerly bill A-4589) will extend, until January 14, 2022, the time period during which the holder of a summer seasonal retail consumption license may sell alcoholic beverages.

Previously, a seasonal consumption license holder is allowed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on licensed premises. However, they could only sell beverages during the summer or winter season from May 1 through November 14.

The sponsors, Assembly members Lopez (D-Middlesex), Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset), Freiman (D- Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset), and DeAngelo (D- Mercer, Middlesex) issued the following statement on the new law:

“COVID-19 has restricted bars and restaurants from serving the amount of clientele they are used to on the premises due to social distancing protocols. Extending summer seasonal retail consumption licenses into 2022 for business owners can enable them to recover any income lost during the pandemic. Businesses, small and large, have seen a substantial loss of revenue due to the pandemic. We must continue to do all we can to support the business community.”