SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCBD) – Liquor liability insurance is impacting organizations. Summerville VFW was forced to close its doors Saturday – they need your help to stay open.
“I was in the Army. I went to Iraq twice from Fort Stewart, Georgia. I was there from 2003 to 2012,” said TJ Allen, a member of VFW Post 3433.
Allen said the VFW feels like home to him and the many other veterans who visit the post.
“I come here and I hang out with a group of people where we can talk about certain things, and we don’t have to talk about certain things because of our shared experiences. Just kind of… it’s a comforting place where I don’t have to explain myself,” he said.
But that place of solace is now under threat.
“We had to close last Saturday because our liquor liability wasn’t renewed. It went from $9,500 to $69,000,” explained Post Commander Robert Zdenek, VFW Post 3433. “We’re working on rates right now because of the new law that went into effect regarding liquor liability. We’re struggling because we’re a non-profit. As it stands right now, we’re struggling to make it.”
They don’t have $69,000 a year just for insurance.
The postal service is holding a meeting Tuesday night, which is expected to be attended by state lawmakers, who hope to have state law changed next year to lower the rates.
Now if someone drinks even one beer and drinks at other places that day, the original alcohol sales site can have 100% liability, instead of a percentage liability. This caused the rates to skyrocket.
The post is also planning a major fundraiser on October 19th to raise money, by which time they hope to be back open.
“We do a lot of things for the public. We have the VA house. We do a Thanksgiving dinner for local veterans. We just do a lot of things for the community,” Zdenek said.
Allen is now attending college on his VA benefits, but he is one of six people now unemployed at this VFW due to the closure. He works there several days a week as a bartender.
“This place supplements my income. I am a starving student now, so I absolutely need the extra income, and losing the income from this place hurts me a lot,” he said.
Tuesday evening’s meeting starts at 7:30pm
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit WCBD News 2.
