For Immediate Release – April 20, 2020
City Institutes Temporary Off-Sale Liquor Licenses
Hermantown, Minn. – Hermantown’s City Council passed an ordinance at its April 20 meeting allowing businesses with an on-sale liquor license to apply for a temporary off-sale license during the duration of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-04.
The issue, raised by several local Hermantown businesses, was originally discussed at the April 6 Pre-Agenda City Council Meeting. Since that time, the state legislature and Governor Tim Walz completed and passed a state-wide measure of a similar nature. Hermantown, by nature of having a population less than 10,000, has the ability issue off-sale and on-sale liquor licenses to the same licensee by Minnesota Statute 340A.406. This statute is not new, nor is it related to any recent COVID-19 legislation.
Hermantown’s temporary ordinance allows for up to 72 ounces of alcohol to be sold in a factory-sealed container, but only when accompanying the take-out or delivery of food. Hermantown’s ordinance automatically expires when Governor Walz lifts Executive Order 20-04 with its stay-at-home expectations to avoid further spread of COVID-19.
Licensees are still expected to follow all laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol during this time, and those purchasing alcohol are expected to follow all pertinent laws and regulations as well, including, but not limited to, Minnesota’s laws regarding open containers of alcohol in vehicles.
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For more information contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Manager, City of Hermantown at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.