05/29/2026
Beginning June 1st, Pine Malt Stand will transition to accepting CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
This decision comes in response to Louisiana Senate Bill 254, introduced by Senator Beth Mizell, regarding debit card surcharges. We encourage everyone to read the bill for themselves and become familiar with the details, as there is a great deal of discussion surrounding it.
*We also want to acknowledge that this is a preemptive decision on our part. Senate Bill 254 has not yet been fully enacted.*
There are a few important points weโd like to make clear.
Many payment processing systems do not distinguish between credit and debit cards. This is not something we, the business, have control over. We are at the mercy of the processing company and the equipment/systems they provide.
It is also important to understand that small businesses receive none of the added processing charge. 100% of those fees are directly remitted to the payment processor.
Our decision was not made lightly, as debit and credit card transactions account for the majority of our sales. The reality is, many small businesses like ours simply do not have enough margin to absorb these costs. We can either raise menu prices, add fees, or find another solution. After much consideration, we believe a cash-only policy is the most honest and transparent option available to us. This will ultimately save the consumer money. We also recognize, and regret, the significant inconvenience it may simultaneously cause our customers.
Beginning Monday, an ATM will be available on-site to help with this transition and, hopefully, alleviate some of that burden.
And perhaps this wonโt be a permanent change. If this legislation is ultimately signed into law, we hope card processing companies will make long-overdue changes to the way these transactions are handled and give small businesses better options.
We ask that you continue supporting local businesses. Many are already operating on razor-thin margins as we navigate an increasingly challenging business environment.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding, your support, and the trust youโve placed in us over the years.
