Rockland Liquor Stores Awarded Broader Hours

Rockland's liquor stores are now able to sell alcohol for longer hours and during broader periods of time on certain holidays.

After complaints from local merchants that current laws were too prohibitive and impeded business, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) passed an amendment on Wednesday that makes for longer hours and fewer mandatory closed dates.

Following the passage of the amendment, local hours match those of the state and are not affected by county legislation. Now, liquor stores in Rockland are prohibited from selling alcohol between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and before noon and after 9 p.m. on Sunday. Stores are also prohibited from selling alcohol on December 25.

Previously, the restrictions were more plentiful and complex. Liquor stores could be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but only during March, April, May, June, September and October. The other six months of the year, hours were restricted to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Additionally, under the previous law, liquor stores could only stay open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on holidays like New Years Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day.

Chris Giacopelli, who owns Rite Liquor in Central Nyack, believes the law is long overdue.

"I don't understand why they didn't do it earlier," Giacopelli said, whose Route 59 store has been family-owned for over 30 years. "It's only more revenue and tax money for the county."

"It's definitely going to help business," he added. "We'll sell more in that hour. People work late—they need time to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner."

The change caught Ann Marie Hahr—Orangetown's executive assistant to the supervisor and a member of the town's substance abuse committee—by surprise. She said she understands the motive, but hopes it does not invite underage drinking.

"I was not aware of them wanting to extend hours, although in some instances I can see it," she said. "Some liquor stores are only open until 8 pm. I kind of get it—I just hope it works out for right reasons."

"With them changing the hours, I can say my only hope is that it will make liquor stores more accountable as to who they're selling to," she continued. "They need to be vigilant."

But the new hours are not without critics. The change comes on the heels of a heated discussion in Nyack, where residents are calling for shorter hours of operations at bars. The village's downtown houses several bars, some of which are hotspots of trouble and illegal activity. In the past, Orangetown Police have dealt with , and even .

However, bar hours—like liquor store hours—cannot be amended by the county alone; state input is needed. Nyack trustees noted holding a referendum to kickstart the process is possible—but it going any further is unlikely. Other municipalities with thriving bar scenes—like nearby Pearl River—would likely be unsupportive, trustees said.