...let’s consider this aspect of how they harm its citizens:
We’re starting to see some of PA’s older downtowns reemerging as entertainment clusters as this trend plays out, but one thing that I think is really holding them back is the state’s dumb policy of capping the number of tavern liquor licenses at 1 per 3000 people per County.
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[T]he biggest reason why this is an urban policy problem is that capping liquor licenses just means there are fewer restaurants in total.
If every new restaurant was allowed to sell alcohol, the high markup on drinks would make opening restaurants less risky, and more people would do it. It would be easier for everyone to make a profit, and you would see more total restaurants opening in Pennsylvania’s downtowns.
More urban storefronts that are now sitting empty could be leased by restaurants and bars, contributing to the city tax base and the state booze tax base.
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Jack great column.. surprised you didn’t mention the wine license proposal. That way it would be cheaper for restaurants to sell certain alcohol without having to fork over all of the money for a full license. Would be a boon to the restaurant industry (and potentially reduce the number of BYOs as well.).