News Briefs for May 12, 2016

•Beverage alcohol delivery provider Minibar is launching in Indianapolis, marking the company’s foray into the Indiana market. Starting this week, Indianapolis consumers can access the Minibar website and iOS or Android apps to order wine, beer and spirits for local delivery, as well as use the platform’s recently-launched Auto Refill service, which allows users to schedule item deliveries at intervals of one to four weeks. Indianapolis marks the 26th city in Minibar’s footprint. Meanwhile, competitor Instacart has entered the San Antonio, Texas market counting Whole Foods, H-E-B, Spec’s, Total Wine & More, Central Market and Costco among its partners. Instacart says it also plans to enter Dallas by the end of this year.

•The Boston Licensing Board is ending its ban on consumers bringing their own alcoholic beverages to restaurants without liquor licenses, the Associated Press reports. The BYOB ban, which has been in place in Boston since Prohibition, is expected to be lifted by year-end. Boston City Council president and former restaurant owner Michelle Wu led the campaign to overturn the ban, arguing that the cost for a full liquor license in the city, about $450,000, is out of reach for smaller establishments.

Tagged : Central Market, Costco, H-E-B, Instacart, Minibar, Spec's, Total Wine & More, Whole Foods

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