New Jersey Governor Chris Christie issued an executive order on Feb. 28, 2013 allowing seasonal alcoholic beverage licensees to begin serving alcohol on March 1, 2103, two months ahead of the traditional allowance of May 1, 2013.
Christie signed the order in an effort to support shore businesses as they try to re-coup losses from Hurricane Sandy from last year and to help tourism for the 2013 season. Typically the seasonal license ends on Nov. 14 of the year but because of Sandy’s devastation in the shore area, most businesses were unable to maximize the use of the license in 2012, causing a financial hardship.
Some of the most adverse effects in terms of lost commerce and economic activity from Hurricane Sandy were on our shore businesses that rely on seasonal alcoholic beverage licenses. These small businesses were unable to remain open for the full extent typically permitted under their licenses which run from May until mid-November because of the mandatory evacuations, power outages, and other disruptions caused by Sandy through difficult weeks," said Governor Christie. "We've listened to our small business community on the shore and are taking action today to deliver relief this season by providing for a two-month expansion for seasonal alcoholic beverage licensees, allowing them to begin opening and conducting business beginning on March 1, 2013 rather than waiting until the typical May 1, 2013, start."
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