YOUR PARTNER IN ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LICENSING
And Related Tax Matters
With six years of prior ABL experience at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Ms. Acquaviva is ready to assist you in navigating South Carolina’s ABL laws. From obtaining a retailer’s, wholesaler’s, or manufacturer’s permit/license to defending a violation of the alcohol laws guiding you through a sales and liquor-by-the-drink tax audits, Viva Law Firm® is here to help!
WHY CHOOSE VIVA LAW FIRM FOR ALCOHOL BEVERAGE LAW?
South Carolina alcohol beverage licensing (“ABL”) laws and regulations can be very confusing. Often, different laws must be read together in order to truly understand the licensure requirements. Do you know who all your principals are? Have you met all the restaurant or nonprofit requirements? Would you be best suited as a brewpub or brewery? Are you facing the suspension or revocation of your alcohol license?
Assistance with the SCDOR Application Process
Assistance with the SCDOR Application Process
Assistance with the SCDOR Application Process
Assistance with the SCDOR Application Process
OUR PROCESS, STEP-BY-STEP
ABL Applications
- Approval/Denial
We walk you through picking up your license if approved and your options for addressing issues if denied. - Initial Consultation
We take the time to understand your unique situation and goals, laying the foundation for a personalized approach to your alcohol-related business. - Information Gathering
Together, we compile essential information about your business so that we can properly guide you through the application process. - Transparent Planning
Using the information gathered during the initial part of the process, we work with you to choose the correct licenses to apply for and to set your business up so that your application has the best chances of getting approved. - Drafting & Submission
By organizing all your business information, we prepare your application in accordance with the law and your goals. - Application Monitoring
We serve as the point of contact for the SCDOR throughout the processing of your application and troubleshoot all issues that may arise.
ABL Violations
- Initial Consultation
We take the time to understand the allegations surrounding your violation so that we can prepare to craft an appropriate defense. - Information Gathering
We dig deeper into the facts surrounding the alleged violation as well as look for any mitigating factors that may support a penalty reduction. - Protest & Negotiation
We protest your violation and work with the SCDOR’s legal department on resolving your case out of court if possible. - Contested Case Hearing
We represent you before the Administrative Law Court. - Final Order
We walk you through your final order, including your options for moving forward.
Tax Audits
- Initial Consultation
We take the time to understand your business, the scope of the audit, and your concerns surround the audit. - Information Gathering
We review the audit request and discuss your business practices with you in greater detail so that we can be thoroughly prepared for the audit. - Transparent Planning
We work with you to plan how to gather and organize all the documents that will be needed for the audit. - Guidance
We serve as the point of contact for the SCDOR throughout the audit and guide you through the process. - Negotiation
Through open dialogue and clarification of the facts and circumstances of your case, we work with the SCDOR to resolve the audit. - Appeal
When a resolution cannot be reached at the audit level, we represent you before the SCDOR Appeals section and, if necessary, before the Administrative Law Court.
HOW WE CAN HELP
On-Premises Beer and Wine Permits (including 7-Day Permits)
Permits for selling beer and wine at establishments like restaurants, bars, and clubs.
Off-Premises Beer and Wine Permits (including 7-Day Permits)
Licenses for selling beer and wine to be consumed away from the premises, such as in retail stores.
Liquor by the Drink Licenses (Restaurant, Nonprofit, Hotel)
Licenses allowing the sale of liquor by the drink at various establishments including restaurants, nonprofit clubs, and hotels.
Local Option Permits/Sunday Sale License
Permits issued that allow the sale of liquor by the drink on Sundays.
Retail Liquor Store Licenses
Permits for operating a retail store specifically for the sale of liquor for off premise consumption.
Brewpub Permits
Licenses allowing the operation of a brewpub, where beer is brewed inside a restaurant primarily for sale in the restaurant and bar onsite.
Brewery Permits
Permits required for the operation of facilities that primarily produce beer.
Winery Permits and Wine Shipper’s Licenses
Licenses for operating wineries and shipping wine, typically involving direct sales to consumers.
Micro-distillery Licenses
Permits for small-scale distilleries producing spirits.
Liquor Producer Permits
Licenses required for businesses that produce spirits in a larger volume.
Class B Wholesaler Permits
Permits allowing the wholesale distribution of liquor from a retail liquor store to a liquor by the drink license holder.
Beer, Wine, or Liquor Wholesaler Permits
Permits allowing the wholesale distribution of beer, wine, or liquor.
Out-of-State Manufacturer’s Licenses
Licenses required for out-of-state producers to sell alcoholic beverages to wholesale distributors within the state.
Special Event Licenses
Temporary permits for selling beer, wine, and/or liquor by the drink at special events such as festivals or charity events.
Retail License Application
Assistance with applying for licenses required for retail sales.
Federal Basic Permit
Assistance with obtaining the permit required by the TTB to produce, import, or distribute beer, wine, or liquor.
Reviewing Business Plans for Compliance
Services to ensure that business plans adhere to relevant alcohol laws and regulations.
Sale to Minors
Legal defense or consultation regarding the sale of alcohol to minors.
Poor Moral Character
Legal defense or consultation regarding licensing issues due to criminal records or other character issues.
Retailer to Retailer Sale/Transfer
Legal defense due to the unlawful sale or transfer of alcohol between retailers.
Bad Check Violations
Representation or consultation regarding violations related to issuing or accepting bad checks.
Discount Pricing or Happy Hour Violations
Legal advice and defense for businesses facing penalties related to pricing practices.
Unlawful Sale or Possession of Alcoholic Liquor
Legal representation for violations related to the illegal sale or possession of alcohol.
Permitting a Lewd Act
Legal services dealing with accusations of allowing lewd conduct on business premises.
Permitting a
Criminal Act
Legal services dealing with accusations of allowing crimes to occur on business premises.
Sign Violations
Assistance with legal issues related to failure to display the required signs.
Possession of
1.75L Bottles
Legal defense for the unlawful possession of 1.75L liquor bottles on premises with a liquor by the drink license.
Keeping or Selling Nonalcoholic Merchandise
Legal advice on regulations and defense of violations regarding the sale or storage of non-alcoholic products on premises with a retail liquor store license.
Suitability Issues
Legal representation for businesses accused of not meeting a wide range of suitability criteria for licensing.
Three-Tier Violations
Legal assistance regarding compliance with the three-tier system regulating the separation of alcohol producers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Permit/License Suspension or Revocation
Legal representation to contest or manage the suspension or revocation of alcohol-related permits and licenses.
SipSecure
Our legal compliance and renewal subscription package that helps you keep your license so your customers can keep on sippin’!
SipSecure Subscription
Introducing our legal compliance and renewal subscription package that helps you keep your license so your customers can keep on sippin’! We will monitor for and handle your biennial renewals and annual LOP applications as well as be available to answer alcohol-related compliance questions for an annual fee per licensed location.
South Carolina Alcohol Beverage Licensing Attorney
When you have a South Carolina alcohol beverage licensing lawyer helping you out with getting your ABL, keeping it renewed, keeping you up to date with changes in laws and ordinances that change compliance rules, and defending your hard-earned license if you are charged with violating these rules. Attorney Lauren Acquaviva and the staff at Viva Beverage Law know how challenging getting an ABL and keeping it can be. Lauren started the firm specifically to help people with all SC alcohol licensing issues. If you need help with obtaining an ABL or issues regarding an existing one, contact us today.
Help For All Of Your ABL Issues
An ABL, alcohol beverage license, is a permit needed for individuals and businesses in South Carolina that are involved in manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, and serving alcohol. They are issued by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) and regulated by SC’s beverage licensing system. Without all of the proper permits, it is illegal to sell any sort of alcohol in SC, including beer and wine.
Getting a new liquor or beer and wine license approved without the help of a good lawyer can be tricky.
There are many different kinds of alcohol licenses and you need to be sure to apply for the correct one. South Carolina has strict zoning laws and rules about how far away from places such as schools, churches, and playground businesses that sell alcohol need to be. Having a knowledgeable South Carolina alcohol beverage licensing lawyer in your corner from the get-go can help you avoid the disappointment of finding the perfect place to set up shop, only to find out that it doesn’t comply with zoning and distance ordinances for selling alcohol. One mistake on an application can set you back months but a good lawyer can make sure that this does not happen with your application.
Once you have found a place for your new business that satisfies all the zoning and distance requirements of the specific SC city or town it is in, something business owners need to be prepared for is neighbors, churches, schools, competitors, and individuals who are close to your proposed location, have 15 days during the required public notice period, to protest your plan to open your business there. If anyone protests, the SCDOR will hold a contested hearing and it is recommended to have a lawyer on your side who can negotiate with the protestors and defend the license in an administrative court in order to keep your launch on track.
Why Experience Matters In An Alcohol Licensing Lawyer
If you have an experienced alcohol beverage licensing lawyer watching out for your business and its ABL so that you don’t have to, you can focus your time and energy on running your business. When you hire Attorney Lauren, you can rest assured that you are hiring someone who:
- Has tried over 100 tax and alcohol license cases at the South Carolina Administrative Law Court.
- Worked for six years for the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) litigating alcohol licensing and tax matters on behalf of the Department.
- Has argued appeals before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and before the South Carolina Supreme Court.
To learn about how Viva Beverage Law and Lauren, our highly experienced South Carolina alcohol beverage licensing lawyer, can start helping you with your alcohol licensing issues, we are available by phone and through our online contact form. Reach out to us today.