Once your store has officially changed hands, there are a few final steps that can help make the transition as smooth and complete as possible. Some of these may be required, depending on your location or agreements, but many are simply recommended based on experience to help ensure everything is wrapped up cleanly and both sides move forward with clarity and confidence.
This checklist, featured in The Advisor – Issue #48, outlines post-sale steps that can help sellers close out remaining responsibilities and hand off the business with peace of mind.
Sharing copies of contracts — like your POS system, security, or payment processing agreements — gives the buyer a clear view of what’s currently in place. It’s also a good time to reach out to your utility providers (electric, gas, water, internet, phone) to cancel or transfer accounts and to wrap up any services like snow removal or cleaning services, so everything is squared away on your end.
Most stores work with a range of regular suppliers — like beer, wine, spirits, grocery, and ice. Providing the buyer with a vendor list makes it easier for them to get up and running. You may also need to notify vendors of the ownership change and close out any accounts or end contracts that won’t be continuing after the sale.
If you have any leased equipment (like ATMs, draft systems, or coolers), make sure to check the terms of each agreement and coordinate with the provider or buyer on next steps. This helps ensure the lease is properly transferred, returned, or closed out — so you’re not responsible for it after the sale.
Coordinate with your payroll provider to close out payroll and issue final checks to any employees under your business. You’ll also need to cancel your workers’ compensation insurance and, if you’re formally closing your employer account, notify the appropriate state agencies.
Close business bank accounts, cancel credit card processing, and terminate insurance policies (general liability, liquor liability, etc.). If your store had a lottery license, notify the appropriate authority to cancel or transfer it.
We know how much time and energy goes into selling a business — and we’re here as a resource to help you finish strong, stay organized, and step away knowing everything has been handled properly.
Click here to read April’s newsletter: The Advisor – Issue #48
In this industry, every move matters. When it comes time to sell your liquor store or liquor license, choosing the right partner can make all the difference. Working with Liquor Store Advisor and Liquor License Advisor means gaining access to a trusted team with decades of experience, a powerful network of qualified buyers, and a deep understanding of what drives successful transactions.
Our fee reflects the hands-on expertise, strategic marketing, and full-service support we provide from start to finish. In many cases, our involvement not only leads to stronger offers — it also saves time, avoids costly missteps, and maximizes your final outcome.
Specialized Experience
Backed by thousands of successful transactions across multiple states, our team brings decades of experience guiding sellers at every level — from independent operators to national retail groups. We understand the valuation, licensing, legal, and operational complexities that make liquor transactions distinct. That insight allows us to help you price strategically, prepare with clarity, and close with confidence.
Operational Execution
Selling a liquor store or license isn’t just about finding a buyer — it’s about managing dozens of behind-the-scenes steps most sellers don’t have time to think about. From licensing paperwork and board hearings to city filings and timeline logistics, we handle the details that keep deals moving. We keep the timeline moving so you can focus on the finish line.
Marketing and Buyer Access
We don’t wait for buyers to find you — we bring your listing directly to serious, qualified prospects. Our outreach includes curated email campaigns, targeted digital marketing, and direct calls to pre-vetted buyers. Many transactions are matched before the listing even goes public through our Preferred Buyer List, which includes individuals, corporations, and investment groups actively looking for their next opportunity.
Communication and Transparency
We believe communication is everything. You’ll always know what’s happening, what’s expected next, and where things stand. From day one to closing day, we keep you informed — no guessing, no chasing. Our process is built on clarity, responsiveness, and a commitment to keeping things straightforward and stress-free.
Click here to read April’s newsletter: The Advisor – Issue #48
The Joint Committee On Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure held its hearing on Oct. 2, 2023 for proposed Bill H.3741 and Bill S.2380 which are seeking an additional 250 licenses across 10 specific zip codes in the next 5 years, should it become law.
One of the issues that arose during the hearing around the 1:00:45 to 1:05:50 mark addressed the term “pocket” licenses, which are inactive liquor licenses being held by owners and/or landlords which go against the city’s guidelines for license use.
To read the full article – check out The Advisor Magazine – Issue 33.
We had a question and answer session with Dan Newcomb of Liquor License Advisor about the year that’s past and what’s to come for the liquor license industry in 2023.
What was the most common question you got from liquor store owners in 2022? What about restaurant owners?
Over the course of 2022, the most common question that has been a theme amongst liquor store owners is how to maximize the sale price of their store, having sales trending downward since the pandemic. Potential buyers have been requesting 2022 sales because they feel like they reflect earnings before COVID. Since the pandemic, owners have been trying to rejuvenate their business model to stay competitive, and now, with the challenging economy, owners are once again feeling the sense of unsettlement that they had hoped was over. Our team has the knowledge and understanding of the industry, especially during these times, to ensure our clients receive the maximum return on their investment. From start to finish, we help our clients with financial positioning, identifying key team members (attorneys, accountants, etc.), marketing, finding the right buyer, and closing out the sale.
To read the full article – check out The Advisor Magazine – Issue 22.
Confidentiality is really important from a seller’s perspective but marketing and talking to people about a business to sell it is crucial.
It is understandable that you want it to be kept really quiet but you want everybody to know about it. The fact is that we only want the people that should know about it to know about it.
As soon as you start talking to people, confidentiality becomes a big concern. The best thing that you can do is work with your team and start to desensitize them for when they hear that the business is for sale.
Prepare the staff and explain to them that everything is for sale for a price and selling the place is an option any day if somebody showed up with the right number.
Talk to the staff about recent sales in the industry so it doesn’t come as a shock.
Priming them and hearing about it for the last month or two will desensitize them. These are just some ways to minimize the amount of trouble that comes with someone breaking confidentiality.
When you or your liquor license broker start to talk about selling your store to potential buyers, confidentiality is a valid concern. When you file an application before the town to transfer the license it becomes public knowledge. There’s no way to avoid it!
Before the information goes public, you want to make sure you have conversations with the important people and make sure that you have had a discussion with key employees.
Most importantly, you want to have a discussion with your landlord to make sure they know what your plans are. The landlord is going be an essential part of this from the very beginning. If you are going to transfer the business to somebody else and they want to stay in that location, the landlord needs to be involved early on rather than later.
Only you know that answer as the owner. You’ve been dealing with this landlord for years, know his personality best, and know how they will react.
If you’ve been a good tenant all along and have been straightforward this shouldn’t be a problem. Once that application gets filed, everybody’s going to know about it so prepare yourself and seek advice when needed.
If you would like confidential advice we are here to guide you. We will give you some tools, tips and tricks on how to do that.
A Home Rule Petition was filed on April 1, 2022 regarding the allocation of liquor licenses in the City of Boston, as supporters of the petition argue that there is a disproportionate distribution of liquor licenses across the city and that “the well-documented racial wealth gap in Boston shows that it is crucial for MWBE’s [Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises] to have equitable access to liquor licenses in order to advance economic equity”.
The petition requests that 200 non-transferable licenses (meaning that if the business closes, the license would go back to the city) over a three-year period be distributed to establishments with a capacity of 50 people and under in the following neighborhoods: Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Hyde Park, where there is currently a lack of licenses. For example, the petition points out that out of the 1,432 liquor licenses in Boston, Mattapan holds only ten of them.
It is proposed that all liquor licenses in the City of Boston shall increase by at least 10% over a ten year period. These licenses are for on premise use only, and because they would be non-transferable, these licenses would be given back to the City of Boston if revoked or canceled, to grant an application with the same requirements.
WCVB5 Boston commented on the petition in an April 7 update, describing it as “a tool for addressing the city’s racial wealth gap”. Likewise, an April 17 Boston Globe article entitled, “Waiting for liquor license reform in Boston”, comments on the petition, stating that: “Reforming liquor license law isn’t ultimately about booze. It’s about economic opportunity”. The article argues that because liquor license holders tend to open establishments in wealthier parts of the city, the less wealthy neighborhoods are hurting. The article also calls out Boston’s state-imposed hard cap on restaurant liquor licenses as being “antiquated and stubborn…a vestige of a bygone time”.
On June 16th, 2022, a City Council Committee on Government Operations hearing was held regarding important matters for the City of Boston, including this home rule petition, which consists of two Dockets: Docket #0465 and #0435.
Docket #0465 is the Petition for a Special Law Regarding an Act Authorizing Additional Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises in Boston, with sponsors being Councilors Brian Worrell, Ruthzee Louijeune, and Ricardo Arroyo. Docket #0435 is the Petition for a Special Law Regarding An Act Authorizing the City of Boston to Grant Four Additional Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Specified Premises, with sponsors being Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Julia Mejia. If you were unable to attend the hearing, we’ve got you covered with an overview of the discussion to provide you with the most current updates.
To read the full article – check out The Advisor Magazine – Issue 17.
Liquor License Advisor is pleased to announce the launch of our Liquor License COVID Response Program for Boston and area restaurants, bars and other on-premise licensed establishments. Over the past 6 months, we have been approached by many owners who were looking for specific advice about their current situation and options.
The was a common theme and questions that kept coming up and the more owners we talked to, the more we knew we had to do something more to support the Boston restaurants who have supported us all of these years.
The program allows a quick assessment by our team of liquor license professionals to help you evaluate what your potential options are and what’s next. For full details on the program, see the info below or reach out to our office at (781)319-9800 any time to schedule a private conversation about your unique situation.
You’ve worked hard and deserve the best possible outcome for you and your business – we’re here for you. Give us a call at (781)319-9800.
We pride ourselves on having all your bases covered for a great transaction in the shortest amount of time. After over 1500+ transactions we’ve learned a thing or two. We know one person is not able to provide the attention to detail and everything else that’s involved – like our Team of 8 can.
Learn more about why you should hire a team below.
Why should you want to sign an exclusive listing agreement? You are going to receive commitment from the marketplace. With our team, a seller coordinator is with you from the very beginning, all the way to the end- where we have a listing coordinator who’s job is to finalize the transaction and get it closed.
Maximize your exposure, profit, with our expertise every step of the way.
Years of building a successful business? All buyers are not created equal, and we pride ourselves in ensuring you get the maximum price for your business that the market will deliver. Having Liquor License Advisor engaged early is an investment into the rest of your life.
We match the right buyers with the right opportunity.