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Before You Add a Bottle of Wine to Your Gift Basket, Drink This In

by

Flora M. Brown, Ph.D.
Copyright 2006
All rights reserved

A new client was placing an order with me recently. He ended by requesting that I put a bottle of wine in his design. Since I don't sell wine I suggested sparkling cider instead.

I don't sell wine for a good reason: I don't have an alcoholic beverage license. The laws that govern the sale of alcoholic beverages are more heavily regulated than any other consumer food laws. Violations are severely punished.

Liquor licenses are regulated at the state and sometimes even the local level. You must apply and sometimes wait for a long period for approval.

Zoning and other factors will determine if you'll be approved. Even the presence of a certain number of other retailers selling alcohol in your area may damage your chances of being approved. Then there are just times when no new licenses are being sold in your area. In this case you may be able to buy one from an existing license holder.

There are many different types of licenses, so you'll need to decide exactly what you will sell and to whom you will sell it. Beer and wine require one type of license while hard liquor requires another type.

If you successfully jump all the hurdles and pay the fees your license will be issued annually. Renewal will depend on whether you have stayed within the law and not committed any offenses such as selling to minors or selling something you're not licensed to sell.

No homebased gift basket business has been issued a liquor license to my knowledge, so if you operate from home, don't be seduced into selling alcohol without a license. Suggest a sparkling cider or refer the customer to a wine store instead. Don't let a forbidden bottle of wine blow the lid off your business.

For a successful business, be sure to steer clear of the law. Learn how to stay out of court.

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About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her main website, www.GiftBasketBusinessWorld.com ,and blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. She is mother of four and grandmother of three. When she's not traveling she enjoys her home in Anaheim, CA.