Distillery representatives spoke out on Friday about their fight to sell their product.Central Ohio distilleries make everything from gin to vodka and whiskey. They pride themselves on their local flavors, but are upset because they are not able to sell their product to those who visit their distillery, 10TV’s Karina Nova reported.David Rigo is the co-owner of the Watershed Distillery, he says he gives tours of his business with the hope that the more people know about the work they put in the more they will buy."the local appeal in the appeal has for local food and drink has been a popular thing," Rigo said. "So we hit it at a good time when local is important to a lot of people."but Rigo and other distillery owners are now battling an old law that prohibits them from selling their products at their locations, Nova reported."We can sell t-shirts and glasses at our distillery but we can’t sell the main thing that we make," Rigo said.Rigo said he is losing up to $80,000 a year because of the law. "the liquor laws in Ohio are extremely archaic," Ohio Senator Kevin Bacon (R) said. "They’ve been in the books forever."Bacon supports House Bill 243, which would allow liquor sales at distilleries just as wineries can sell wine. he said he is optimistic the bill will pass."this is one more way for our small business owners to thrive in the current market," Bacon said.Distillery owners said that they fear customers won’t want to make the extra trip to find and buy their products after taking tours.House Bill 243 has already passed in the House. It must pass the Senate , then on to the governor before becoming law.Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for more information.
©2011 by 10TV.com. all rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Related posts:
- Forbes Magazine ranks Utah ‘the best state for business’
- Using Interactive Tourist Maps to Promote Your Business Community
- Madison native helps fight an alien invasion in ‘Intergalactic Nemesis’
- The St. Petersburg Times Business portal Updates
- The Value of a Good Business Math Textbook