FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Michigan’s Liquor Control commission is looking at ways to ease some of the supply chain challenges bars and restaurants have faced during the pandemic.
The commission this week held a public hearing to try and determine more equitable ways of distributing liquor supplies to smaller retailers and bars and restaurants.
Supply chain issues in today’s economy is literally just about everywhere you look — including what’s in your glass.
“One of the hardest things to get right now has been tequila. Patron – it’s amazing and what I’m stuck doing is I go to some of the various party stores around like here, Grand Blanc and buy what I can,” said Chris Poulos, co-owner of the White Horse Tavern in Flint.
The White Horse Tavern is a popular watering hole for Flintstones and one of many small businesses in the state that are continuing to grapple with shortages of products. In this case liquor.
Liquor suppliers have had a hard time keeping up with demand. On top of that, there are shortages of aluminum cans and glass bottles, higher shipping costs and other factors.
“I’m probably paying maybe 10% more, but it’s all survivable I think,” he said.
What’s happened is big box stores have been able to keep their supplies stable by buying up limited supplies.
That has made it more difficult for smaller retailers and bars and restaurants to get their hands on what they need.
The commission has also proposed several ideas including setting purchasing rules for larger retailers, and also capping how much liquor a business can purchase.
No official decisions have been made by the commission.
“I would be hard pressed to say what the state should do better. I don’t think they do a horrible job at all. They’re stuck,” said Poulos.
