Many restaurants will reopen on Friday, welcoming back patrons after being idled for weeks. But businesses like Barnett's Pub, which operates as a bar, is not allowed to reopen.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Governor Abbott suggested alcohol-to-go sales in Texas may be here to stay.
Alcohol-to-go sales can continue after May 1.
From what I hear from Texans, we may just let this keep on going forever.#txlegehttps://t.co/ossCXyNuPd
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 29, 2020
People like Baylor law Student Shelby Zumwalt say this is a win-win to help businesses obtain a form of income and for people to enjoy an adult beverage from the safety of their own home.
"it's just great to be able to take it home and sit on your own balconies rather than going on patios and sitting with other people. I'm ready to get back to my normal life, but I want everyone to be safe and healthy too," said Zumwalt.
For bars like Barnett's Pub, ordering drinks to go is a game changer.
"Right now, we've needed to find every single revenue stream that we can," said Barnett's general manager Joshua Hernandez.
Because the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission says restaurants can only reopen if alcohol doesn't exceed 51% of its sales, places like Barnett's Pub are forced to remain closed.
That's why Barnett's owners created cocktail kits, to mix drinks at home to get around the rule.
"It's been a lifesaver. It's really helped. It's not as much as the bar being open, but it's enough to keep the business stay afloat. We're hoping to get everybody's bills payed. We're just trying to pull each other through this," said Hernandez.
As the reopening phase moves forward, Hernandez says he's excited that Governor Abbott will allow to-go alcohol sales to continue so they can keep business afloat.
"The reaction to the cocktail drinks have been fantastic. We're just happy we can provide a service right now," said Hernandez.
If you're looking to order your own cocktail kit, you can call the pub to pick one up or they can deliver it to you.
