Monday Q&A: Time to advertise happy hour?

A new Republican governor in Virginia could mean new opportunities for businesses in the Commonwealth. Perhaps no enterprise has more to gain than independent liquor stores, should ABC be disbanded. And more flexible rules will finally let pubs advertise their happy hour specials on a placard or sign outside their establishments.

Tom Lisk is a longtime lawyer with LeClairRyan who also lobbies the General Assembly on behalf of the hospitality and restaurant industries. Read more

New ABC program may eventually soften the hated 45% ratio

Virginia legislators can raise a drink to the conclusion of another General Assembly. And to all the time they spent debating blue laws.

In fact, out of more than 15 new laws regarding the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, six made specifications pertaining directly to blended alcoholic beverages or their vendors.

But the often-ridiculed law that requires restaurants to sell a minimum dollar value of food based on liquor sales has shown extraordinary staying power, in part because a powerful beer and wine lobby opposes upsetting the status quo. Read more