Liquor license refunds offered by city

Posted on May 12, 2020

By Katherine Murphy

BLOOMINGTON– If you own a bar or restaurant in Bloomington but aren’t open during the pandemic – the city wants to pay you back.

At Monday’s city council meeting members agreed to refund money from liquor licenses that are not being used at establishments that have closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

With close to 200 liquor licenses in Bloomington, only thirty-one businesses have kept their doors open for takeout and delivery orders.

Under the latest ordinance if a license holder hasn’t used delivery or curbside pickup their license fees will be prorated and refunded.

License fees carry a $2,500 price tag and the rebate averages out to $7 – $8 a day, for every day the doors have been shut.

Qualifying businesses need to reach out to the city with documentation that shows they have been closed since the Governor’s order that went into effect March 16.

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