Marco Costales Quoted In SF Chronicle On California Beer Regulations

Marco Costales, a Partner in Nossaman’s Corporate Practice Group, was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle story Why WeWork Locked Up Its Beer Taps In California. The story examines the recent decision by WeWork—a co-working company that caters to young professionals—to stop serving beer at its California locations. WeWork doesn’t have a liquor license in California, and given state laws, it’s uncertain whether the company can serve alcohol to its customers.  Mr. Costales, who advises clients on liquor license matters, commented that Since most people in a co-working space aren’t the company’s employees, but paying tenants, companies like WeWork don’t clearly fall under any category in existing law. He added that regulators could take issue with the fact that ‘beverages’  are included in the membership fee, and that If the only way to access the beer is by virtue of leasing out the space or paying a membership fee, I think they are going to have a problem.