FORT MILL, S.C. โ Small bars and restaurants across South Carolina say theyโre facing yet another challenge as they continue to navigate rising costs and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
As many establishments struggle with skyrocketing liquor liabilityย insurance premiums, a new state mandate will soon require all alcohol servers and managers to complete state-approved alcohol server training.
Under the new requirement, anyone currently serving alcohol for on-premises consumption must obtain certification by March 2, or businesses could face penalties. Supporters say the mandate is designed to improve public safety and reduce alcohol-related incidents but small business owners say it adds pressure to an industry already stretched thin.
โItโs a lot of changes and it sucks kind of because now we have to scramble to figure out what to do next and get all of our people ready to go,โ Bryson Shipp, manager at Small Bar in Fort Mill, said.
The mandate comes as many bar owners are still dealing with the financial impact of South Carolinaโs liquor liability law, which holds establishments responsible if a customer they serve later causes a DUI crash. Since the law took effect, bar owners say insurance costs have surged, forcing some businesses to close.
โIt is a lot to be thrown at us at one time,โ Shipp said. โYou never sit still. You have to keep doing something new.”
Some workers say the training could be beneficial, especially as bars look for ways to reduce risk and liability.
โIt is good for people to be educated because in this job you need that,โ Stephanie Lentz, a bartender at Small Bar in Fort Mill, said. โPart of your job is to care for the people that come into your restaurant.”
Still, Lentz worries about the long-term impact on small, independent bars.
โItโs hard if youโre a small business owner and youโre not the big corporation,” Lentz said. “This is a small bar, and taking hits like that can be hard.”
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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