Indiana is following suit as Kentucky temporarily allows alcoholic beverage carryout and delivery by licensed restaurants.

Governor Beshear temporarily loosens restrictions on alcoholic beverage carryout and delivery by licensed restaurants (Food & Dining Magazine)

Indiana's measures broke just before 9:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. The Alcohol & Tobacco Commission will be allowing restaurants already licensed to sell adult beverages inside their buildings to temporarily expand their permits to carryout sales.

In short, take home a few beers with your food. The relaxation does not apply to draft beer, which remains the domain of small breweries.

In some instances, it appears this may extend to deliveries, too; it's a little-known fact that several types of ATC permit always have allowed deliveries, even if few establishments take advantage of it.

The ATC will be requiring establishments to apply for a supplemental carryout addendum, and the "devilish" details are as yet not forthcoming. Then again it's been only 12 hours. There'll undoubtedly be hitches and glitches, but I can say with certainty that quality people are "on it," and I'll try to thank them all profusely in due time.

Maybe ... to repeat MAYBE ... some restaurants will have permission by the end of the business day today (Friday). If not, next week seems probable.

ON THE AVENUES: If it's a war, then the food service biz needs to be issued a few weapons. We need improvisation and flexibility to survive the shutdown.

ON THE AVENUES: If it's a war, then the food service biz needs to be issued a few weapons. We need improvisation and flexibility to survive the shutdown.

Noon Friday Update (March 20): As of yesterday evening, Indiana is implementing certain temporary carryout privileges for restaurants, as advocated in this column. It's an ongoing story, with an overview here.

This will be a truncated edition of the weekly column. Since last week's entry, everyday "normality" as most of us have experienced it throughout our lives has been suspended -- temporarily, or so we're told, although it's worth remembering that most challenges of COVID-19's magnitude usually end with a plethora of new, altered realities, some big and others small.

As a social worker, Diana as yet remains in the trenches, seeking to provide daily needs and services to at-risk populations. My world is the food, drink and hospitality business, and we're in a state of siege. It is an existential crisis unlike any we've faced in the past century.

What I'm about to write may strike some as trivial in the context of society's needs at this juncture, so let me assure you that I'll not be asking for the moon and stars at a time of universal dumpster fires. Rather, I'm urging a common-sense improvisation pertaining to measures already announced, something that might assist my brethren to make it through to emergency's end.

There may be other relevant improvisations I'm missing, and if so, let me know. Ears are wide open, and there's ample opportunity for consideration.

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My thinking on this matter began evolving when I saw this quote in the Indy Star by Eric Holcomb, governor of Indiana.

"We are at war with COVID-19 and we will win this war."

This is when it occurred to me that in the context of state-mandated closure orders for restaurants and bars -- my family, my community -- we're the ones being asked to bear the brunt of the anti-COVID-19 resistance by buying time and being crippled or extinguished if necessary -- in effect, to do what we can with to delay the invading hordes while stronger lines of resistance are being built in the rear.

It's a common theme in military history, although it may not be the best time to recall what happened to Poland's cavalry at the outset of the Second World War.

If it's wartime analogies the governor prefers, then mine make perfect sense. It is not at all far-fetched, considering that the business fatality rate will escalate exponentially the longer the closure order (exempting food carryout) stands.

If this is a war, and if normality is subject to experimentation and revision, then perhaps it would be a good idea to examine further ways to help us fight the battle. 

And boost morale.

Naturally restaurants and bars are eager to do their part within these revised (and improvised) frameworks of operation. It remains that carry-out, curbside and delivery meals alone are an imperfect compromise for many of us, given that our business models rely on the margins from alcoholic beverages.

Those of us without state permits allowing for alcoholic beverage carryout sales, as with holders of riverfront area licenses, are being placed at even more of competitive disadvantage as we all struggle to make it through the state-mandated suspension of normal activities.

We're holding inventories of beer, wine and spirits that are locked down. Most beers and wines don't improve with age, either. Meanwhile package stores, supermarkets and drug stores are not subject to this p(P)rohibition.

If all on-premise sales are off-limits for now, restaurants and bars already have lost one of their stool's three legs. Without alcoholic beverage sales, the second leg is gone, too.

One-legged stools might be tenable, but only barely.

Concepts that include words like "temporary," "modification," "expedient" and "let's throw this against the wall and see if it sticks" need to be considered. As I wrote on Facebook:

"If we're at war, and if restaurants and bars are expected to bear the brunt of a calculated wartime strategy of 'social distancing,' then can they at least be allowed to use the weapons they already possess to stay alive, so they can continue to fight another day?"

I hope that Governor Holcomb will consider a short-term departure from the "everyday" that would allow us to serve the needs of customers for the duration of the war against coronavirus, as well as give us a statistical chance of surviving the conflict.

Holcomb should instruct the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission to temporarily suspend enforcement of Indiana's bewildering carry-out alcohol laws, until such a time when restaurants and bars can go back to operating as they did before the crisis. Merely loosen up, temporarily. Existing permit holders know the rules, and the vast majority follow these procedures.

We aren't newbies. We just don't have a box checked on a sheet of paper.

Our patrons are accustomed to coming inside, hanging out, eating a meal and having a couple of beers. For an indefinite period, almost surely long after March 30, they can't do this. Buying bottles and cans of beers and wine to take away with their food does not seem like a radical reordering of civilization.

I'm saving the most corona-vincing argument for last, because as it pertains to relaxing enforcement of an alcohol law or three to help keep us in the ballgame.

KENTUCKY
ALREADY
IS DOING IT. 

That's right. The Kentucky Restaurant Association lobbied Governor Andy Beshear for a measure of temporary rationality, and I'm told that by Friday 20 March restaurants will be able to sell carry-out beverages with food -- only with food, which is a proper distinction, as are other qualifiers (package not draft, etc)that might be required.

I've written this in one sitting, straight through, and there'll be mistakes. I understand perfectly well that my topic isn't a priority, and nor should it be, which actually reinforces the simplicity of the point being made here.

This isn't rocket science.

It's a tool (or a weapon, your choice) to assist us in carrying on as we carry out ... calmly.

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Recent columns:

March 12: ON THE AVENUES: Keep calm and carry on.

March 5: ON THE AVENUES: I've got the spirit, but lose the feeling.

February 27: ON THE AVENUES: There is a complete absence of diversity among regular News and Tribune columnists.

February 20: ON THE AVENUES: For downtown New Albany, escaping reality might soon be a bridge too far.

New Albany Mayor Jeff Gahan and the Floyd County Democratic Party show support for small independent businesses, and this is to be commended.

You probably don't need reminding, but I've been harshly critical of the Floyd County Democratic Party ... for a very long time.

My criticisms remain intact. It would be nice if we could all sit down and talk through them; however, it's no time to be a Disney-fantasy fetishist.

That's because we have work to do. Disclaimers aside, allow me to commend the Democrats for this post.

Coronavirus begins taking toll on small business

Democrats urge individuals to support local businesses

With Coronavirus now in Floyd County, it is clear the response won't allow us to do business as usual. From the cancellation of recreational events to the closure of dine-in facilities at restaurants, we are all adjusting to a new reality as we work to control the spread of this infection. You can check here for the latest information on the spread of the virus and resulting measures taken by the federal, state and local government.

While health and safety regulation may not allow us to dine-in or utilize services in the traditional ways, we can still work to support our local businesses and their workers. Here are a few quick tips to practice during this period of social distancing:

Carry Out: Dine-in options may be out, but several local restaurants are serving customers through carry-out options. Your purchase of lunch using a carry out option can help these restaurants weather the COVID-19 storm.

Tip: Just because it is carry out, don't forget to tip. Tips go directly to workers and help support those individuals financially.

Gift Cards: Purchase a gift card now to use at a later date. Any dollar amount will help the local business and you can benefit by using the card for future purchases or as a gift.
Check for Social Distancing Accommodations: Some small businesses may be making accommodations for social distancing. These accommodations may enable you to receive a service that otherwise would be unavailable.

Purchase Local Produce: Local farmers will also inevitably feel the impact of COVID-19. Stock-up on local vegetable and other goods produce grown by these vendors. Organizers of local farmers markets can assist - check in with Develop New Albany by clicking here.

Shop online or Over the Phone: Many local businesses have developed online stores or take phone orders. While the physical storefront maybe closed, these businesses will continue to operate and mail out orders.

Check in: Touch base on your favorite boutique owners and ask how you can help. Your interest will let them know you're thinking of them and provide encouragement.

Use Social Media: Use social media to help promote local businesses, share their services, and gather public support. Banding together will help get the word out.

Supporting our local economy has never been more important and we can each make a difference. Let our local business community know we're here for them, even if caution requires us to practice social distancing.

Sincerely,

Adam Dickey
Chair, Floyd County Democratic Party

Solid advice.

And also this, from Monday evening.

This afternoon, Indiana Governor Holcomb ordered restaurants and bars to close dine-in services through the end of March. New Albany has a high number of successful local restaurants and bars, and city government is focused on assisting them through this difficult time.

Earlier today, Mayor Gahan met with owners of some restaurants, bars, and shops to offer city support and to keep lines of communication open. He also addressed concerns of the financial strain that this can put on business owners, their employees, and families of those affected.

Mayor Gahan has, and will continue, to urge state and federal leaders to provide assistance to those most impacted by this pandemic.

Mayor Gahan said, “We are going to get through this. It’s going to take some time – but we will get through this.”

Yes, it's true that Gahan provides little of substance apart from (yet again) urging Republican-controlled government units higher-up to intervene with aid. Yes, it's true that the city was deserted yesterday when he chose to have a walk. But for the consistently agoraphobic mayor to so much as leave his office is a sign of progress, and as such, must be recognized.

I'm told that some local Republicans view the preceding posts from Democrats as political in nature. Under normal circumstances, I might be inclined to agree, but when one takes into consideration our new societal abnormality, it's plain good thinking, and the "right" sort of politics, for them to say these things aloud.

The food and drink segment in the state of Kentucky is reckoned to employ 10% of the state's work force, and the figures probably are similar in Indiana. We're willing (well, in most cases) to take an extreme body blow to do our part, and some businesses won't survive it. Our workers are going to be experiencing disarray and dislocation.

It is fitting and proper for New Albany municipal government and its dominant urban political party to express solidarity.

Obviously plenty of local Republicans also have been highly supportive, whether publicly or privately. Unfortunately, others on the right side of the aisle are on social media displaying what can only be viewed as potentially self-destructive denial.

In political terms, I dislike Jeff Gahan and Adam Dickey. But what they're doing here is a far more useful optic than what I've seen coming from some prominent GOP members.

Speaking for myself, I'm setting aside as many of the usual disagreements as possible, for as long as possible, for the duration of the coronavirus crisis if possible. I needn't love you, vote for you or even tolerate your congenital malfeasance to understand this is a special time, requiring special measures. I don't have the time now to nitpick.

Whenever we come out the other side, all bets are off. At this precise moment, all of us -- you, me, everyone -- need to be thinking about specific ways to be (a) productive, and (b) supportive to members of the community more vulnerable than we are.

Got it?

Good. Let me know if I can help.

LIVE TO EAT: These downtown New Albany restaurants are offering carry-out and curbside meals.

New Albany Social took some time off during the past year, but Kelly Ott Winslow posted this list on Monday evening, and it has been shared 1,596 times as of 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday.

That's simply fantastic.

Please remember that although the restaurants listed have always prepared food to go, our new abnormal means that virtually all of them are reinventing themselves on the fly without much of a road map.

As an example, I know for a fact that city officials are working on plans to help define the word "curbside" (reserved parking spaces) to assist in the effort of restaurants being social with take-away food albeit with minimal human contact, but in this and other considerations it will take some time to work out the kinks.

Over at Food & Dining Magazine we'll be trying to push as much information as we can given the circumstances. All that can be said with any accuracy is that local restaurants and bars will be doing what they can to survive for the foreseeable future, and your patronage is crucial.

For bars with little or no food service, the COVID-19 "curve flattening" measures are tantamount to Our New Prohibition. I'll try to report about them, too.

Stay tuned.

Health violations? Rally's temporarily closed? Say it ain't so, Slick Jeffie.

My fictional doppelgänger (sorry, Shane -- look it up) clued me into the Rally's tragedy. Personally, I think White Castle set them up.

Rogar has seemed a bit intemperate of late, but then again, it's an election year.

However, credit the anonymous Twitter troll for maintaining good relations with fast food chains. After all, come January 1, quite a few of Team Gahan's operatives will be transitioning from "your TIF suite is ready, Mr. Lanz" to "ya want fries with that?"

Rally's in New Albany temporarily closed due to health violations, by Brooke McAfee (Tom May Biblical Concordance)

NEW ALBANY — The Rally's at 401 Vincennes St. in New Albany was closed Wednesday by the Floyd County Health Department due to numerous health code violations.

During a routine inspection, a food inspector from the Floyd County Health Department temporarily closed the fast food restaurant around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after finding four critical violations and numerous minor violations, according to Floyd County Health Officer Dr. Tom Harris. They "felt the food service was unsafe," he said.

Harris said the restaurant will be closed until it is cleaned, and the health department will conduct the same inspection in the morning ...

The Warehouse Bar is closed. Will it be back?

Not the Warehouse Fish and Steak in New Albany, Mississippi, but the Warehouse Bar in New Albany, Indiana.

Back in June, when our city's Warehouse became the city's first LGBT bar, the news was a veritable tsunami.

Then, two days ago, there was this.

And then this.

Since I'm not sure what to surmise, I'll make no assumptions, other than to say that the mere presence of huge crowds aren't always indicative of profitability.

If you have an opinion, let us know. Let's hope the era of New Albany gay bars has not already come to an end.

Private party closes Bank Street Brewhouse this Thursday, July 21.

This Thursday (July 21), Bank Street Brewhouse will be closed to the public all day for a large private party. We hope this does not inconvenience any of you, and remind you that the original Pizzeria & Public House will be open as usual to serve your craft beer and pizza needs.