COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) — A new law set to take effect this week aims to alleviate the financial strain on bars and restaurants in the state by allowing them to lower the $1 million liquor liability insurance cap.
However, some local business owners remain skeptical about the law’s impact.
Pamela Jackson, owner of Pam’s Front Porch in Columbia, expressed concern over the rising costs, stating,
Place after place after place, dozens of places have closed. The small businesses, the restaurants, the clubs.”
Jackson noted that her liquor liability insurance costs have skyrocketed, increasing from $2,000 in 2022 to over $32,000 this year.
The new law offers potential insurance rate reductions for businesses using ID scanners, certified training, and serving 40% or more food.
Angela Cook, CEO of the Skyline Club, acknowledged the potential savings but criticized the law, saying,
Even the opportunity with this new law dropping off a couple thousand dollars… it doesn’t make any sense to take it off because the law is not made to protect the bar owners.”
Cook, who recently purchased the bar, is transitioning it into a full-time restaurant to reduce fees, but she noted that many businesses are struggling to manage the high insurance costs.
Those people are really struggling because there’s not enough you can make to pay the liquor liability insurance,” Cook said.
Lawmakers will continue to review the new law when the state house session resumes in January. The law goes into effect on Wednesday.
