As this flaming dumpster fire of a year draws to a close, we are facing a new set of hurdles to overcome as we go into 2021.
COVID has stomped the live music, event, and hospitality industry into the ground this year, and it’s not done punishing us.
We will be celebrating our second anniversary on January 17, 2021. That means we have a slew of permits coming up for renewal in the next few weeks. Our NY state liquor license is $3,162. Our health permit with Onondaga County is $273. The city of Syracuse requires a Certificate of Use for $500, and this permit also requires a workers comp policy – for our employees who haven’t worked since mid-November and won’t work again until late spring. There is an entertainment license for $250.
Did you know we pay the city every year for the privilege of presenting live music? True story.
Somehow, we are still responsible for maintaining permits that we were literally not allowed to make use of for most of 2020 – and likely the first quarter of 2021 too.
Does this seem remotely fair or reasonable?
I sent an email to the SLA to find out if there is any plan for pro-rating the license. Apparently, they have been giving bars and venues small extensions, but the current extension date is January 31, 2021 – which does not help us.
Not for nothing, but an extension still means we are paying for several months we cannot use. Between this year and the first part of 2021, we’ll be closed for at least 8-9 months.
The health department says that County Executive Ryan McMahon sets the fees for their permits. They currently do not have anything in place to waive or reduce permit fees, but they will hit you with a $60 late fee if you miss the January 31 deadline. And, they also require proof of a workers comp policy – you know, for the employees we don’t have right now.
On the advice of Councilman Joe Driscoll, I reached out to the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development about the city permits. They tell me that they are “looking into” the various permits and fees impacting restaurants, bars and performance venues, but that the city has been hit very hard from a revenue perspective. I was directed to the SEDCO grant program, which cannot be used to pay permit and licensing fees, but can be used to pay for the patio heaters (that aren’t available anywhere for love or money) and other items to adapt to COVID-19. How are we supposed to “adapt” when we’re not even allowed to be open? Also, we would have to pay for the items first and then wait to be reimbursed.
I hope our local government stops and considers the long-term effects of trying to squeeze money out of shuttered businesses that are heading into the new year with empty bank accounts and absolutely no idea when they might be allowed to reopen. We are the businesses that give our city its character and make Syracuse a cool place to live. Our favorite pubs, eateries and venues are at risk of being forced out of business because they can’t pay for licenses and permits through no fault of their own. What will our city look like then?
