BUFFALO, N.Y. — Restrictions are gone and customers are returning to restaurants across New York, but Osteria 166 owner Nick Pitillo said it's a misconception the industry's troubles are over.

"Our focus was to get our people back to work,” Pitillo said. “It wasn't about making money. It was about to survive, and most of us were able to do that but without continued help, many won't make it and it's still an issue.”

On top of lost profits over the last two years, restaurants continue to struggle to find and keep employees, and are also dealing with supply chain issues. Butera's Craft Beer & Craft Pizza Owner Jimmy Butera said restaurants are looking for any lifeline they can grab.

"There's so many people on the brink of bankruptcy right now because of all the hits we've taken over the last 24 months,” Butera said. “Reissuing alcohol-to-go is a lifeline that can help us get back into the black.”

The state temporarily allowed alcohol-to-go during its state of emergency as an extra revenue source. Glen Park Tavern owner Ellie Grenauer said it ended up being roughly 20-25% of her takeout sales. 

One of the state Restaurant Association's top priorities is bringing it back for good.

"Hopefully with this being included in the governor's budget, this will be a permanent thing that we'll be able to pass,” Grenauer said. “It's just that little boost in sales that really helps us."

The association held five press conferences Wednesday as the state legislature economic development subcommittee planned to talk about the proposal in a hearing. The main opponent are liquor stores, but restaurant owners say they're not trying to hurt their fellow small businesses, just sell a couple of craft drinks.

"What I have to sell a bottle of Tito's for to make my margin versus what a liquor store sells is not comparable, but we're trying to recreate an experience at home," Pitillo said.

The association said it monitored liquor store sales during the pandemic and they did not lose money as a result of alcohol-to-go.