GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Advocacy groups say a state law requiring $1 million in liquor liability insurance for establishments that serve alcohol after 5 p.m. is keeping Upstate establishments closed.
In response to this issue, several South Carolina business owners founded the South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association in hopes of changing the status quo.
At a news event hosted by SC Venue Crisis on Wednesday, state leaders and business owners spoke out against policies that are killing longtime businesses like The Blind Horse Saloon in Greenville, which announced it would be closing after nearly 30 years in business.
“This is a call to action,” said South Carolina Rep. Jason Elliott, a Republican. “Across South Carolina, businesses are being forced to close because of the high cost of alcohol liability insurance.”
“Over the last five or six years, our insurance rates have gone up, on average, 50 percent, 60 percent to 70 percent,” said Omar, co-owner of Hall of Fame Sports Grill in Greenville.
It's a trend that Salem-based Jocassee Valley Brewing Company has taken notice of.
“We were able to find insurance at the last minute that was comparable to what we had last year,” said Morton, the JVBC owner. “But we don't know what we're going to be up against when it comes time for insurance again. You know, 50 percent. [and] A 75% price increase would definitely close our business. We live in a state that says it supports small businesses, but I don't think we're part of that vision.”
“We opened last year and went through the process of getting licensed and insured,” said Joe, owner of Rock Hill-based Hoppin' Rock Hill.[We were] Last year, I was surprised to see a premium of $35,000 being quoted for a policy worth $1 million to $2 million.”
Others say they don't doubt the good intentions of the policy itself, but it raises the question of whether the burden of liability should fall solely on companies.
“I think there should be some responsibility on the establishment, whether it's a bar or a restaurant,” said Doug DeMaria, a regular at the Hall of Fame Sports Grill, “but in all fairness, the people who come to the bar to drink should be held responsible. I hope the public is aware of the fact that it's causing insurance prices to rise for bars and restaurants, putting them out of business.”
“It's a huge strain on a business to stay afloat and pay employees a livable wage,” said Greenville resident Ryan Coursey, who said he wished he had visited the Blind Horse Saloon more often before it closed. “That means you have to know your limitations.”
