NYS Liquor Authority approves remaining restrictions for Schenectady County | Business

The Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Economic Development Committee announced Monday that the New York State Liquor Authority has approved removing restrictions on the hours for sale of wine and liquor during specific holidays in Schenectady County.

“We thank the State Liquor Authority for acting on our request,” said Legislator Marty Finn, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Economic Development Committee. “This change will level the playing field for small businesses in Schenectady County as well as bring additional sales tax into our coffers that might otherwise go to neighboring counties.”

According to a statement, the Liquor Authority acted in response to a resolution co-sponsored by Legislators Cathy Gatta and Mike Petta, asking to allow liquor stores within Schenectady County to be open the same hours as neighboring counties.

“I sponsored this resolution after liquor stores in my district approached me about the disadvantage these hours placed on their business,” said Legislator Gatta.  “Having to close early on some of the biggest holidays of the year lost them local business while forcing their customers to travel a little further into Saratoga and Albany Counties.”

Before the approval, liquor stores in Schenectady County were one of only a handful of counties in New York that were required to close by noon on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day and other holidays as well.

The change was made effective on April 24, 2012.