SMALL MUSIC VENUES AND SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE ARE AT RISK OF CLOSING!

How many have to suffer before our legislators take action?

PLEASE READ COMPLETELY, SIGN, AND SHARE.

This is an open letter to the South Carolina legislature. We speak for not just ourselves but all small business community members. 

In 2017, South Carolina introduced a law, Bill 116, that drastically changed the minimum insurance coverage requirements for establishments that sell and serve alcohol. This bill mandated a one-million-dollar yearly policy, an excessively high rate increase for an across-the-board requirement. Current law allows for any entity with as little as 1% of fault in an incident to be found responsible for 100% of the payout. Without tort reform to change this law, more businesses will suffer.

The SC Venue Crisis:

• Insurance Exodus: Following Bill 116, insurance companies are leaving South Carolina. The number of available carriers has plummeted, leaving us with as few as 2 or 3 options.
• Skyrocketing Costs: The inability to shop for coverage caused average insurance prices for bars and venues to rise in 2021. By 2024, these costs exploded. Policies that once cost $5,000 - $6,000 have skyrocketed to upwards of $75,000 - $125,000 for the minimum coverage.
• Post-Pandemic Struggle: This financial burden follows the devastating 2020 Covid shutdown and restrictions. Many businesses barely survived, while others rebuilt to face inflation's brutal impact. 
  The Looming Collapse:

This year, small bars, music venues, and nonprofit organizations like VFWs and American Legions are facing another blow: the need for affordable insurance to stay in business. Many owners have already closed their doors or attempted to sell. Still, the exact prohibitive insurance costs often hinder that option.

The Devastating Impact:

• Loss of Local Treasures: We are losing our beloved, locally-owned venues and bars – the heart and soul of many communities. Many have raised prices, reduced staff, limited business hours, or removed live music from their offerings.
• Job Market Meltdown: If our legislators ignore this crisis, far too many small businesses, not just bars and venues, will close, leaving countless employees jobless. Bartenders, servers, cooks, sound engineers, door staff, musicians, food and beverage suppliers, and others who rely on these bars and venues for their income will face financial hardships.
• Economic Downturn: Towns and cities are losing tax revenue and tourism dollars as vibrant local businesses disappear.

We Need Your Help:

• Spread the Word: Help raise awareness about the SC Venue Crisis. Share this petition with everyone you know.
• Contact Your Representative: Email your state representative repeatedly, urging them to address the liquor liability insurance issue. Don't stop with emails – call and request face-to-face meetings. Keep pressuring them for solutions!

Learn more about the SC Venue Crisis (SCVC): The SCVC team aims to raise awareness of the issues created by the lack of affordable liability insurance for South Carolina's bars, music venues, and other alcohol sellers. Let us know what's happening with the bars and venues in your area.

You can find out who your legislators are via the SC State House official website.  SCStateHouse.gov