Economic Advancement Through Liquor Law Modernization
Last session, a significant liquor law modernization bill was signed into law. There were several provisions that positively impact businesses and serve as economic recovery tools such as a temporary measure to allow alcohol to-go until 2023. While Act 70 signified a major progression, there were important provisions left on the table that the committees of jurisdiction did not have enough time to fully consider. This includes allowing low-alcohol spirit beverages (ready to drink canned cocktails) to be sold by the same retailers that sell beer, wine, and hard cider, and allowing small Vermont distillers to ship directly to consumers. Permitting Vermont distillers to do so would bring Vermont in-line with other states that have already passed a similar measure. Discussions around these provisions will continue this session. Continued adjustment and modernization of alcohol regulatory and financial policies is a priority for both the Vermont Chamber and our partner, Vermont Independent Restaurants.
The DOL’s new tip credit regulations went into effect on December 28th. The regulation states that restaurants cannot take a tip credit for the time spent on tasks considered “directly supporting work” that exceeds 20% of the workweek or 30 continuous minutes.
While the NRA filed an emergency lawsuit in a Texas federal court challenging the rules and asking for an immediate injunction while the case is being considered, it is expected that the court will allow the new regulations to remain in effect until February.
It is important to continue to take steps to comply with the new rules. Actions to consider taking include:
Conducting an audit of the job duties performed by your tipped employees.
Training managers on the new requirements.
Implementing new policies and procedures on side work.
Changing staffing model to hire new staff to perform side work tasks.
Adopting new timekeeping protocols for tipped employees.
Vermont Businesses Double Down on Digital Presence This Holiday Season
By Amy Spear, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Every holiday season, restaurateurs, retailers, and other small businesses encourage customers to shop local, with the shopping season formally kicking off with Small Business Saturday. As COVID challenges continue to plague businesses in all areas of operation from employee recruitment to competition for sales against giant online marketers, Vermont’s small business community is getting creative and taking advantage of the digital marketplace.
As the Vice President of Tourism for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, I’ve witnessed our members doubling down on digital engagement to compete this holiday season for job recruitment, customer retention and engagement, and creative purchasing opportunities. Vermont makers and merchants have embraced an innovative spirit to meet their challenges head on.
Whether it’s maintaining and building relationships with customers or helping shoppers to experience the wonder of Vermont in person, developing a robust online presence is not only convenient and entertaining, but also essential. As Vermont businesses are geared up to launch marketing campaigns with traditional paid ads supporting their local newspapers, radio, and television stations, they have also turned to social media tools to entice customers to buy products or visit their retail locations.
For example, digital innovations boosted Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ ability to build and maintain relationships with its customers. Lawson’s Finest is known for producing high-quality craft brews, like their Sip of Sunshine IPA and unique maple brews. But as they continue to build their brand and reach, they’re using Facebook Live to regularly host conversations with their customers and answer their questions. And they’re promoting their “Tuesday Tunes” and “Open Mic” nights via Facebook Events.
Additionally, at the pandemic onset, they pivoted to online sales through their website and developed a curbside pick-up service to support their retail business which made some customers more comfortable not to have to go into a retail outlet. Lawson’s Finest even used their digital communications channels to launch a brand-new brew – Little Sip IPA – during the pandemic. By using creative promotional giveaways and scavenger hunts they were able to connect directly with fans to encourage them to try their new beers.
As with many specialty food businesses, Lake Champlain Chocolates maintained operations throughout the pandemic, providing consistent employment for their long-time staff as well as continued support of the broader community by using locally sourced ingredients like Vermont honey and maple syrup in their handcrafted products. Lake Champlain Chocolates has been hosting virtual chocolate tastings via Zoom, something that has caught on with corporate groups. They added new digital features to their website to provide a better virtual shopping experience for their customers and are promoting “order online pick up in-store” purchases through local Google pay-per-click campaigns, OTT (over-the-top) advertising through streaming video, paid social media, and local digital advertising like Front Porch Forum.
Deploying marketing tactics over social media to attract new employees has also gained momentum, especially with holiday sales ramping up. There are many holiday season employment opportunities, and Vermont’s employers are turning to LinkedIn, Facebook Jobs, and Indeed to connect with job seekers.
Vermont’s businesses fuel our economy by offering quality goods and services while at the same time providing good-paying jobs. These employers also provide financial benefits that in turn help to create sustainable and engaging communities. Our hope is that this holiday season, and beyond, Vermonters and tourists alike go out of their way to support our local businesses as they are an integral part of our greater community.
While supporting Vermont’s retailers, restaurateurs, and other businesses during the pandemic has been incredibly important, it’s even more vital to support the surviving small businesses now. There are plenty of ways our small businesses offer virtual engagement and shopping, so go find them online. This holiday season, you can support Vermont businesses in person – or right from your home.
Amy Spear
Amy Spear, of Killington, is the Vice President of Tourism at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is focused on creating an economic climate conducive to business growth while enhancing Vermont’s quality of life.
There are a lot of moving pieces affecting the restaurant industry. Here is an assessment with our federal partner, the National Restaurant Association (NRA), of the key issues and what is being done to keep the industry moving forward.
Employee Retention Tax Credit
Watch the NRA’s latest 90 Second Update for an update on the status of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). The ERTC was redesigned with input from the NRA and has the potential to be a critical recovery tool for tens of thousands of restaurants. But, as we move closer to the end of the year, many restaurants have yet to see their refund checks from the IRS.
Earlier this month, the NRA wrote the Treasury Department and the IRS with a series of asks to get the ERTC process moving and to protect vulnerable restaurants that will soon owe January tax payments.
The NRA is meeting with Treasury officials soon and would like to walk in with a petition that demonstrates how important this issue is to the restaurant industry. If you have 30 seconds, please review the petition and add your name.
Replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) remains a top priority. If you haven’t contacted your elected official in Washington, D.C., now is the time to do so.
The $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better Act” makes important investments in things that will benefit our country and the restaurant industry. But the bill does not replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), and it raises taxes on small businesses at a time when the restaurant industry truly cannot bear more financial strain. Watch the NRA’s 5-minute explainer video to learn how the tax changes would affect your bottom line.
To compound this, a new NRA survey of the state of the industry highlights the outlook that a recovery from the pandemic could be prolonged well into 2022. The NRA released a letter to congressional leaders sharing the survey and their strong objections to the Build Back Better Act as written.
Congress must hear from restaurants to ensure RRF receives more funding. Reach out directly to Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Bernie Sanders and tell your story, or use this form to send a note to Vermont’s Congressional Delegation. Additionally, you can help bolster Vermont Independent Restaurants’ (VTIR) advocacy for the replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund by signing this petition.
September was National Food Safety Month with the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe. This year’s theme was Know Safe & Show Safe and programming highlighted cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting standards with five weeks of education.
Week 1 – Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting:Learn more about what it is, when it needs to be done, and best practices on how it should be done.
Week 2 – Cleaning and Sanitizing Equipment:Learn more about best practices and how to create the habit of proper cleaning.
Week 3 – Cleaning and Sanitizing Dishes:Learn more about how to clean, dry and store cookware and tableware.
Week 4 – Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Operations:Learn more about best practices for cleaning after a guest gets sick.
Week 5 – Developing & Implementing a Cleaning Program:Learn more about what elements should you include in your Master Cleaning Plan.
Learn more about all of the programming covered during National Food Safety Month here.
By Vermont Chamber Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear
Have you ever picked crisp apples fresh from an orchard, been surrounded by bright red and orange mountains, or hiked through a towering corn maze?
In Vermont, you can do all that and more on an ordinary fall day. This year, visitors can enjoy the season in a distinctly Vermont way – with activities and attractions that draw in people from around the globe.
Our state has options everyone will love.
Delicious food and drink
After shopping and cider sampling at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, enjoy a meal at Apple Core Luncheonette & Brew, which offers homemade breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
Stop by Citizen Cider’s Tasting Room in Burlington for flagship hard ciders and seasonal limited releases, all made from apples sourced locally. The full food menu has something for everyone, featuring items made with their infamous cider.
Stay somewhere serene
The Essex Resort & Spa, a centrally located luxury resort, is the perfect home-base for exploring Vermont in the fall from north to south. End the day at on-site restaurants or spend an afternoon unwinding at the spa.
Or stay at Manchester’s Equinox Golf Resort & Spa. Located in the heart of the Green Mountains, this iconic resort is steeped in history. Surrounded by natural landscapes, this destination is beautiful in every season, but is especially stunning during fall.
Get active in fresh air
Featuring one of the best corn mazes in the state, kids and adults of all ages enjoy hiking through the towering corn at Hathaway Farm in Rutland and the challenge of solving a maze.
Shelburne Orchards
Enjoy apple picking and cider donuts while taking in the view of Lake Champlain on Shelburne Orchards’ 60-acre family owned and operated apple orchard.
If you’re traveling, why not visit the most vaccinated state in the country?
Last month, Vermont had the highest vaccination rate in the country. If you’re going to travel this fall, why not come to one of the safest states in the nation?
Vermont has a tradition of welcoming visitors to our state. In the wake of Covid-19, the state continues to offer safe travel guidance to visitors and Vermonters. Before you come, take a few minutes to learn what our state leaders are recommending regarding masking and physical distancing.
Community care is at the heart of Vermont life. When you visit, we know you’ll feel the Vermonter spirit in our safety measures and in every smile and wave.
While you stay, play with us by sharing on social media with hashtags #ThisIsVT and #VermontFall.
We would love to see and share your photos this fall. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce tourism team will share your Instagram posts in our stories from our Visit Vermont account.
We’ll also be creating an album with your photos on our Facebook page.
Every year, Vermont sees more than 13 million visitors to the state.
As you plan your visit, be sure to check your plans carefully by reading updates on lodging and business websites. Due to staffing shortages, their hours of operation and policies may have changed.
We are so excited to welcome you to Vermont.
Amy Spear, of Killington, is the Vice President of Tourism at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is focused on creating an economic climate conducive to business growth while enhancing Vermont’s quality of life.
September is National Food Safety Month with the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe. This year’s theme is Know Safe & Show Safe and programming will be highlighting cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting standards with five weeks of education.
The weekly themes include:
Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting
Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Equipment
Cleaning and Sanitizing Dishes
Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Operation
Develop and Implement a Cleaning Program
Access new free resources focused on cleaning and sanitizing here.
The Legislature passed the most significant liquor law modernization bill in recent years. H.313 is awaiting Governor Scott’s signature and includes the Vermont Chamber and Vermont Independent Restaurants priority to extend the current pandemic-allowed alcohol to-go provisions until July 2023. While not a cure-all, the off-premises provision as passed will help the industry recoup some lost revenue and provide a service that customers have come to expect. According to a National Restaurant Association survey in 2019, 56% of all adults said they would order drinks with their to-go order from a restaurant, if permitted. Without a doubt, the pandemic has accelerated this trend. By January 2023, a report examining economic and public safety impacts will be submitted to the Legislature.
Other provisions impacting Vermont’s tourism and hospitality industry that made it over the finish line include reduced third-class license fees (from $1,095 to $230) for holders of a manufacturer or rectifier’s license, updates to festival permits which were made in collaboration with the industry, and the elimination of the requirement for 48-hours written notice to be given to the Division of Liquor Control for promotional tastings for licensees and for staff participating in the promotional tasting to be off duty for the rest of the day. Contact Vermont Chamber Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear with questions.
Have you ever picked crisp apples fresh from an orchard, been surrounded by bright red and orange mountains, or hiked through a towering corn maze?