CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – North Carolina lawmakers are working on changes to a law that will go into effect at the end of March regarding food safety in bars.
Private bars have been exempt from health inspections since the passage of the North Carolina Regulatory Reform Act in 2013. The ABC Omnibus Bill 2022 removed the definition of a private bar, but did not place any restrictions on bars that serve food. House Bill 125 goes into effect in 2023, creating requirements for bars to undergo the same inspections and permits as restaurants.
The new law requires bars to undergo the same licensing and health inspections as restaurants, but bar owners said some changes would be too expensive or impossible to implement.
“I don't believe for one second that there was someone's plan to destroy a small, independent business in a historic small town in North Carolina,” bar owner Leslie Cox said.
Leslie and Brendan Cox are co-owners. beagle Chatham County said despite the new law's intent, it's nearly impossible to comply with.
One of the challenges owners face is the need for 36 inches of spacing between the fronts of each piece of equipment. Brendan says it's difficult to maintain this much space between tables, even on the narrowest tables.
There are other physical changes that need to be made to comply with codes that the owner simply stated do not comply with the historic building. Even if they could do that, they said, it would be costly and could drive customers away.
“Prices will go from $9 or $10 for small plates to $18 or $19,” the owners said.
The bar has just 180 days to conduct a complete review, and the changes are expected to come into effect by March 27. By that date, bars must know what changes need to be made and submit their plans to county health officials for review. Once approved, we will send the work to a contractor.
Jessica Saunders with the Wake County Health Department spoke about what happens after the plan is submitted and the work is completed.
“We’re here to visit the sites and see if the claims are consistent with what’s required on site,” she said.
Sanders said it was technically unclear how many bars in his jurisdiction would implement the changes, with just over five weeks until the deadline.
“It appears that in November we sent information packets to approximately 200 or more facilities that may be affected,” she said.
Beagle owners only learned of the change after the new year, giving them even less time to assess the situation.
“I love the food scene here. It's vibrant, diverse and unlike anywhere else,” Brendan said. “I'm concerned that if we don't create lodging facilities that take into account the physical limitations of small spaces, we'll end up with the same 12 restaurants in every town in North Carolina. That’s not a very good thing.”
The General Assembly is considering changes to the law, but will have to wait until it reconvenes in April after the new law takes effect.
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