Episode 9, Talking South Carolina Podcast Interview with Asheton Reid of SC Venue Crisis

Episode transcript:

Angela Barrett “Hey guys, thanks for being with me today on top in South Carolina, I have Ashton Reed from the South part South Carolina venue crisis. Thanks Ashton for being with me.”

Asheton Reid Thanks for having me.

Angela Barrett Yeah. So let’s talk about first what the South Carolina venue crisis is.

Asheton Reid “So what it was is a team that we formed back in April of 2023. It was started with three people and went to four. And we had other volunteers on the team as well. But it started because in trouble, your own ship was buying grill and Piedmont, South Carolina received his renewal quote for the liquor liability insurance, and it skyrocketed even more so than the previous year.”

Asheton Reid “He brought it to Sheila marques in my attention, and he contacted his insurance provider, and they said, best thing you do is make some noise. We are rock n rollers promoters. We were like, you know what? We can do that. And so we set out to be, our main goal was to bring awareness to this issue because we, none of us had any political backgrounds, knowledge, very, very disconnected from that world.”

Asheton Reid “But we were all very willing and able to to learn and to bring awareness to this very, very serious topic. And here we are.”

Angela Barrett “Yeah. So, let’s talk about, I guess, where this all started, how it came to how you guys formed or why you formed the South Carolina venue crisis.”

Asheton Reid “So when we started doing more research, we found out that in, 2014, there was a horrific, horrific crash in Dillon, South Carolina, and we’re going county. And, it was a naturally leading a bar, and the bar was uninsured, which technically they should not even been open, because if you don’t have insurance or a bar or liquor liability, we like the license, then you should take may not even be open.”

Asheton Reid “So I’m not quite sure how that fell through the cracks of why the state even allowed them to even be serving alcohol without this, because it’s if you have when you had your liquor license, which is distributed by the state, and you have to have the insurance, it goes along with it that you had to provide to the state showing up.”

Asheton Reid “So some things help from the crash. That’s a different topic, I believe. Sure. But were they the, the patron was intoxicated? I’m not sure if that is due to the bar or if she was maybe possibly drinking from her car or her purse. Something else was going on. There’s so many caveats that can lead to this, but there is a police officer was responding to a call, so he was going very fast, but she was also apparently very drunk.”

Asheton Reid “Hey, why did he has brain damage? Passenger in her vehicle very, very fortunately passed away. So was that leg. It was the catalyst to Bill 116, which in 2017 was but and to act which means every shot which meant that was open after 5 p.m. that serves alcohol. And even though liquor liability you think liquor but it also includes beer and wine.”

Asheton Reid “So it’s more types of up. But you have to carry $1 million policy, which in turn should not be that big of a deal, or that much of a monthly or annual fee for the business. But with there being no percentage, fault or, percentage or personal responsibility attached to that, it has become a a wild, wild west for the trial lawyers.”

Asheton Reid “And so there’s no room in there. There are victims and the actual victims, it’s it’s tragic. And they should become saying that.”

Angela Barrett “Yeah, we are advocating drinking and driving by any stroke.”

Asheton Reid “Absolutely. No. Absolutely not. But it’s more of the frivolous lawsuits that have caused the insurance premiums to completely skyrocket. Back in 2017, the average, liquor liability annual policy was 5 to 7000 or a per year. Now it we’re seeing, like, the cheapest, 35 grand up to 250 plus. And so small business. Yes. During that even it can afford that.”

Asheton Reid You shouldn’t have to because it’s just not it’s not fair.

Angela Barrett “Right. So in other state, how how is this done. Because I understand this is everybody has to have the insurance.”

Asheton Reid But it’s very.

Angela Barrett Differently in other state. In that the laws are more specific as to the percentage of fault and how that’s determined. Correct me if I’m wrong and then explain.

Asheton Reid “So I can’t speak to the other states. I’m not. We’re knowledgeable on that topic on this more. No one was going on within our state. So I don’t but know that we’re one of the few, if not the only, state that is facing this right now. Alabama did have a very have a Siri at a similar situation last year, and they I guess after I had get actually what they did to rectify this issue.”

Asheton Reid “But they, they saw the value in making sure that this, that their issue was no longer an issue because of the tax money that’s coming in just from the tourist industry itself. Sure. And in South Carolina, with the employment, one and nine people are employed through service industry. So think of the limited rate that well, it’s mind blowing.”

Asheton Reid Absolutely mind blowing.

Angela Barrett Right. And so because there are guests. So tell me the reason that y’all are going with or fighting with legislation and and what that is exactly that you’re fighting for.

Asheton Reid “So to our knowledge, what would help rectify this issue is Bill 533. We encourage everyone to educate themselves. Look it up, laugh for yourself in your own words. But also you can visit see venue prices.org and it breaks everything down perfectly. Sheila Merck is a genius when it comes to organization. And she she is she’s the one to thank for the entire website, but it breaks it down perfectly.”

Asheton Reid “But Bill 533 is the SC Justice Act, and it’s gotten several. So talk four, which wouldn’t just be beneficial to the service industry, but the trucking, the housing, manufacturing, everything within the state and it helps it bring it back to a fair trial. So it’s the percentage of faults. And so it’s not just the it’s you are 1%.”

Asheton Reid “As of right now it stands if you are 1% ball, you can be held responsible for 100% of the payout, which is mind boggling to me that if, if when 533 is passed, join several be statewide which be able for you know percentage vote. So it’s the if you’re 1% vote then yeah you’re going to pay for that.”

Asheton Reid “But if you’re only 1% ball, you should not be held responsible for 100% of the damage. When there’s especially when there’s no personal responsibility attached to it.”

Angela Barrett “Right. And so. I’ve got several questions. But I’ll start with let’s talk about what’s the timeline sort of with legislation and where we are right now, because I know they the state you know, the Senate they dismiss for this hour. And and we’ll come back, you know, in the fall of the year. But go ahead and tell.”

Asheton Reid People.

Angela Barrett The timeline.

Asheton Reid “To January through May is when the House and Senate in session, and they are able to come back for an emergency session, which, there was a press conference on June 5th that was at the state House to say, hey, you guys, you’re coming back in for an emergency session for a bill for dick hack that most people don’t even want or is too concerned about.”

Asheton Reid “But this is an actual issue at hand. So it’s you guys can come back or do get the act meeting and the first bill, why can’t you come back or go on several when this is a very serious issue and a lot of people are talking about it. You know, a lot of people are contacting their legislators, which we highly encourage them to do respectfully.”

Asheton Reid “Let them know how this is about you and why it should be at the forefront to be resolved. But they are only in session January to May. But they can be. They can be called back. It’s not super common, but it’s it’s it’s possible.”

Angela Barrett “So as it stands right now, have they turned this down, tabled it, keep tabling it for the next time. I mean how how this what’s been happening there.”

Asheton Reid “So I did make it to the floor with the, the last session. Oh fortunately it was shut down because they tried to add in section F and section F would allow 533 to not apply to any alcohol sales. So there would be completely just it would help, it would help other industries in, in the state, but it would not help be like a liability issue at all.”

Angela Barrett Yeah.

Asheton Reid “So as long we would for about three, three without section F to B B to be passed. But it did make it to the portion master who is I? I have been extremely impressed with him. He is a true advocate. It’s that it’s been amazing to watch. And he has, you know, he has a backbone and I appreciate the heck out of that.”

Angela Barrett “Yeah, I like that explanation of the perfect storm. Yes, yes. Yes. Because less when people think of serving alcohol, they think of the bar. The bartender and the patron, whoever’s you know, being served. But that is not who all this affects. This trickles down to so many people. I mean, it is when bar.”

Asheton Reid “The yes the branches that this reaches from the power companies to the local farmers to the beverage distributions to the cooks. So, I mean, it’s not just the bartenders, most everyone that’s employed from that establishment, it’s it’s just the outreach. And the ripple effect is just is heartbreaking to think that this many people could be impacted if something is not done right.”

Angela Barrett “And I understand the impact of this is Memorial along the lines of not your bigger restaurants that serve lots and lots of food because they make money there, but it is more impacting those bars that just have, a couple appetizer things because I think it’s our food if they have alcohol. But They don’t have they’re not the pin, it turns out.”

Angela Barrett “I think part of it, it’s the drinks and the, you know, that’s the way they’re bringing in their money. And I understand those are the places that it is affecting more so than some of your bigger food restaurants that serve alcohol. Right.”

Asheton Reid “All right. So a bar tavern, they’re they’re playing the margins with any restaurant that sells alcohol. Typically the higher margins are from sales. Sure. So a lot of places and people that, you know, rightfully so, don’t comprehend that part of it, but they’re saying, oh, why don’t you just not sell alcohol? Well, that’s not really an option because the business is going to go under because that’s where the the money in the margins are coming from.”

Angela Barrett But it is mostly one people are there.

Asheton Reid “Oh, exactly. Exactly. And it’s the this isn’t a necessary like drinking thing because a lot of people are like, oh, you’re just, you know, you’re fighting for alcohol. It’s more just a fight for freedom also. But it’s the response for freedom. And so, you know.”

Angela Barrett “And and the way I’m, the way I’ve read it correctly is a fairness, you know, it’s left up to the server, the bartender, whoever, to determine whether somebody is intoxicated or not. And you may not know that in the in, in the initially I’m just going to throw this out, again not promoting or, you know, warning people to drink and drive.”

Angela Barrett “Absolutely not. But what I think I have seen and I agree with is the unfair this of where, first of all, the responsibility lies to that server to decide if that person is in fact intoxicated, because, again, you may not know that initially somebody comes in who’s been drinking all day somewhere not there, they ask for a drink.”

Angela Barrett “You haven’t met them more than three second, you serve them a drink and then they leave. You served one drink. You had no time to make any kind of you know, I think that’s what I got out of a lot of what I was reading in the videos I was watching is where it needs to, percentage wise, means to lie and those kinds of things.”

Angela Barrett Is what I understand.

Asheton Reid “Yes. So it’s saying we we’ve been calling it the million odd mimosa. It’s because it’s the if you go, we have brunch at noon and you have one man. They sir, as a salesman, you go out, you’re on the lake, you go to a friend’s house, you go 13 different places, which I do not condone whatsoever. Because that not smart, right?”

Asheton Reid “By any means. But if you just at that speaking that if you so if you if you’re at one place at 12 p.m. and then you’re at another place and then at 3 a.m. you crash and something just like tragedy happens, that first establishment as the as the law stands right now in be held 100% responsible for one of the those, someone’s personal actions and choices to go gallivant all over drinking.”

Asheton Reid “Right. So it’s it’s it’s hard for me to comprehend and understand how this is even sort thing and why we know that, you know, some trial lawyers are not the most, most ethically driven, but I urge them to maybe be a little smidge more driven instead of just taking on anything and everything and trying to just get a easy and out for themselves.”

Asheton Reid “Because, I mean, typically, trial lawyers are receiving at least 30 to 60% of the pay. It. And so it’s hard for that for me to understand. But when they’re saying, oh, it’s for the victims, well, was truly for the victims. And why are you receiving the exponential amount? Oh, they’re paying. Right. So if you know the math is math and you can just put two and two together and know that.”

Asheton Reid Yeah.

Angela Barrett “The and so the next move for you guys what’s, what’s what’s up next.”

Asheton Reid “So as Zach the line of any crisis stands right now we are we we originally just set out to bring awareness to this issue. We did not have intentions to get heavily involved in politics that we were we saw that you you’re a captain. And here we are the though about some of the teeing. We’re going to, be taking a little bit of a step back.”

Asheton Reid “There is an association that’s being formed. We’ve not been very involved with that association. So I can’t speak a whole lot about where they are in terms of membership or what that really entails. But, it’s the they’re called the South Carolina Bar and Tavern Association. They are there are newer but we we’re not going to be necessarily going anywhere, but we’re not going to be as we’re going to be tearing up the row like we were last year with the town halls and all the time and effort, because this is volunteer work and we’re, we’re we’re tired, we’re burned out or we’ll burn our things, but we’re going to see it through, but not”

Asheton Reid to the time and resources that we were doing the last two.

Angela Barrett “And so if people organize, you know, businesses, whoever it may be, want to be more involved. Where do you suggest they go?”

Asheton Reid “Yes. We, we would love, love to see more business, especially businesses that this has direct impact on to get more involved. I mean, the as even you process work the website it is a tell all, be all answers, pretty much every question that you could imagine. But people have to do that for themselves instead of just, you know, a little bit of effort.”

Asheton Reid “There’s a roll a long, long way, but we encourage them to reach out to their legislators. That’s the biggest thing to say. Hey guys, we know that you guys made this happen and we need you to fix this issue. But again, respectfully, that’s that’s our biggest thing is be respectful because you’re not going to get anywhere by just being mean versus from the get go.”

Asheton Reid “I’m I’m terrible at it for that. But at first please be respectful. But it’s just knowing that this is an actual issue that this will have an impact on at Bar Restaurant Tavern, even if it doesn’t have a direct impact right now. That is that’s we have found out that people are not understanding the severity until it directly impacts them.”

Asheton Reid The service will give you proactive instead of react right?

Angela Barrett “How many? Just off the top of your head if you if you have any idea, have closed due to the increase in, drastic increase in insurance.”

Asheton Reid “So I was I was I was expecting that question. That’s a very, very hard question to answer because there is a vast amount of businesses within the state, and sometimes we’re made aware of them, sometimes we’re not. Sometimes the reason is part of liquor liability was, an added to them closing. But there’s also been some, some pride that has gotten also in the way.”

Asheton Reid “But there’s not been a full. So people don’t come forward and say, hey, we’re closing because we can’t afford this. They’re disclosing or then saying they’re closing. So we’re not really exactly sure, but there’s been at least 10 to 12, I thought in my head so far, but I know there I know there’s more than that. I know there’s more.”

Asheton Reid “And that’s just in the upstate. Right? I’m we’re outside Greenville, South Carolina, so. But within the whole state itself, I, I’m not sure, but I’m, I know it is a hefty numbers of bar.”

Angela Barrett “Yeah. I know there was I don’t I’m not sure which bar it was. And it was a pretty big establishment and, I think people were kind of shocked when it closed. And that’s just been realignment, I guess. Maybe that was it. Yeah. If.”

Asheton Reid “They’re in business for 29 years, it was out of the blue that, you know, they they made the announcement. It was I think it blindsided a lot of people. It sure is understandable. But it’s also a IT guys that we’ve been trying to bring awareness to this and where we got and then crying wolf at. All. Right. The dumb people don’t believe it.”

Asheton Reid “And so it has a direct impact on their business or their local watering hole, which is very unfortunate. Very unfortunate. But, we’re we’re believing that more people are starting to understand and comprehend the severity.”

Angela Barrett “Right, because that’s a good example of how far it reaches, ear musicians and, you know, in the art, you know, the art world that that side of things, not just the employees of that business there, or the people who bring in the alcohol or feed or whatever. But now, you know, throttling musicians as well so.”

Asheton Reid “That the music is my language. And that is why tribal, Sheila, Lauren and myself with the venue processing started this because music is our language and we don’t know where we would be without it. We’re appreciative and it would be just heartbreaking. Detrimental to see venues that support live music fade away.”

Angela Barrett “Right. And you know, I know a lot of these businesses are small, but everybody has to start somewhere, musicians included. They didn’t just walk up almost. They start somewhere at a watering hole. And I mean, nine times out of ten, I mean, you don’t get that lucky usually. And that’s how they build the following as well. So that’s kind of where they want to start is, you know, your local smaller places where people that you know are going to come see them and then it grows so.”

Asheton Reid That that’s how you better fan base.

Angela Barrett “That’s right. That’s right. Well, I thank you so much for, talking with me today. And, you’re definitely going to have to keep me posted as this goes. And, give us, some updates, as it goes along, but, good luck. And, I can’t wait to see how this goes.”

Asheton Reid Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Angela Barrett Absolutely.