Comments on: MA: wine sales in supermarkets? http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/ wine talk that goes down easy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:16:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Anonymous http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-459 Anonymous Thu, 02 Nov 2006 02:46:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-459 Its ridiculous to deny consumers certain rights because certain businesses need protection. When i need to get vitamin C, I don't want to have to go to GNC. When i need an exotic vitamin, or bulk vitamins or specialty vitamins or when i need more detailed information on vitamins then i go to a vitaminshoppe or GNC. Give me the choice. Specialty shops exist because they serve a niche. They shouldn't be allowed a monopoly position. <BR/><BR/>If grocery stores are not up to snuff in regards to policing wine sales, revoke thier licenses. Don't use it as an excuse to deny consumers.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Also, I didn't see any liquor store owners complaining when MA allowed liquor sales on sunday. I am sure allowing them to open and sell hard liquor an extra day of the week had more devastating effects in regard to drunk driving, and other alcohol related crimes. I guess public safety isn't a concern when it means less cash in liquor store owner wallets.<BR/><BR/>This is about one thing, and one thing only, consumer rights vs big business. Liquor stores are big business, and they only care about their bottom line. Its ridiculous to deny consumers certain rights because certain businesses need protection. When i need to get vitamin C, I don’t want to have to go to GNC. When i need an exotic vitamin, or bulk vitamins or specialty vitamins or when i need more detailed information on vitamins then i go to a vitaminshoppe or GNC. Give me the choice. Specialty shops exist because they serve a niche. They shouldn’t be allowed a monopoly position.

If grocery stores are not up to snuff in regards to policing wine sales, revoke thier licenses. Don’t use it as an excuse to deny consumers.

Also, I didn’t see any liquor store owners complaining when MA allowed liquor sales on sunday. I am sure allowing them to open and sell hard liquor an extra day of the week had more devastating effects in regard to drunk driving, and other alcohol related crimes. I guess public safety isn’t a concern when it means less cash in liquor store owner wallets.

This is about one thing, and one thing only, consumer rights vs big business. Liquor stores are big business, and they only care about their bottom line.

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-460 Dr. Vino Wed, 01 Nov 2006 23:15:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-460 Hi Kate, <BR/><BR/>Thanks--I'm glad it turned out to be a useful discussion for you! <BR/><BR/>I did weigh in one more time <A HREF="http://drvino.blogspot.com/2006/10/liberate-your-libations.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>Needless to say, I agree with the <A HREF="http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2006/10/31/yes_on_1_wine_sales_in_groceries/" REL="nofollow">Boson Globe editorial</A> and encourage you to vote yes! Hi Kate,

Thanks–I’m glad it turned out to be a useful discussion for you!

I did weigh in one more time here.

Needless to say, I agree with the Boson Globe editorial and encourage you to vote yes!

]]> By: Kate http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-461 Kate Wed, 01 Nov 2006 16:48:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-461 Obviously, I'm arriving way past the original date that this entry was posted, but wow, what an interesting forum this entry turned out to be. I'm still not sure exactly how I'm going to vote in a couple of days, but I was delighted to see so many opinions in one space. Hmmm... will have to check out the rest of this blog. Obviously, I’m arriving way past the original date that this entry was posted, but wow, what an interesting forum this entry turned out to be. I’m still not sure exactly how I’m going to vote in a couple of days, but I was delighted to see so many opinions in one space. Hmmm… will have to check out the rest of this blog.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-462 Anonymous Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:16:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-462 After reading in the Consumerist about the liquor store in Massachusetts that harassed its customers who asked for a specific beer, I think stores like The Wine Press in Brookline, MA could use the competition. Bring on the supermarket wine.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/ethics/how-to-deal-with-liquor-store-humiliating-my-girlfriend-205440.php" REL="nofollow">Link to original story</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/clips/we-call-up-liquour-store-that-allegedly-humiliated-readers-girlfriend-205471.php" REL="nofollow">Link to followup phone call</A> After reading in the Consumerist about the liquor store in Massachusetts that harassed its customers who asked for a specific beer, I think stores like The Wine Press in Brookline, MA could use the competition. Bring on the supermarket wine.

Link to original story

Link to followup phone call

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-463 Anonymous Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:17:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-463 When I see a proposal like this, I ask myself, "What needs fixing here?" When I look at this ballot proposal, I see don't see that anything will be fixed. In my town, there are two fine liquor store. Each is located less than one minute away from a large supermarket, one of which sells beer and wine! No doubt that part of the store is somehow considered a liquor store within the supermarket. I used to go to a supermarket near Coolidge Corner in Brookline that also had a liquor store within the store. So, there's no significant "convenience" to be gained for me in proposal and, in the case of the supermarket mentioned, nothing will change.<BR/><BR/>I do have a major concern with this proposal as a consumer of wine and beer. The large supermarket chains may well drive out some of the smaller liquor stores we love with big marketing campaigns that smaller retailers can't afford and through predatory pricing a la WalMart and Home Depot (selling at below cost until the competition is driven out of business and then raising prices to more than the competition was charging). The small liquor store, like the small hardware store, contributes something to the consumer that a few price points can't compensate for. I watched as the Home Depot's drove my favorite hardware stores out of business years ago; I don't want to watch my local liquor store meet the same fate for the sake of Star's and Stop and Shop's big shareholders. When I see a proposal like this, I ask myself, “What needs fixing here?” When I look at this ballot proposal, I see don’t see that anything will be fixed. In my town, there are two fine liquor store. Each is located less than one minute away from a large supermarket, one of which sells beer and wine! No doubt that part of the store is somehow considered a liquor store within the supermarket. I used to go to a supermarket near Coolidge Corner in Brookline that also had a liquor store within the store. So, there’s no significant “convenience” to be gained for me in proposal and, in the case of the supermarket mentioned, nothing will change.

I do have a major concern with this proposal as a consumer of wine and beer. The large supermarket chains may well drive out some of the smaller liquor stores we love with big marketing campaigns that smaller retailers can’t afford and through predatory pricing a la WalMart and Home Depot (selling at below cost until the competition is driven out of business and then raising prices to more than the competition was charging). The small liquor store, like the small hardware store, contributes something to the consumer that a few price points can’t compensate for. I watched as the Home Depot’s drove my favorite hardware stores out of business years ago; I don’t want to watch my local liquor store meet the same fate for the sake of Star’s and Stop and Shop’s big shareholders.

]]> By: Jim Kraskouskas http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-464 Jim Kraskouskas Sun, 17 Sep 2006 08:14:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-464 I am a Massachusetts liquor retailer. The wine ballot is not about convenience, it is about global food distributors buying their way onto the Massachusetts ballot to change the commercial code of one industry. The only purpose of this ballot question is to wipe out the existing liquor industry through predatory pricng and eliminate the wholesale tier to enhance the profits of the mega retailers. In the end the consumer will have nothing to show but a couple of thousand empty storefronts. We have not had marches in the streets of Massachusetts with mobs demanding more liquor stores. These are European corporations buying Massachusetts commercial advantages with high priced slick advertising. Here is the inside scoop, the supermarket study showed voters would not vote for beer and wine licenses which is what the supermarkets really want. But,the beer industry has already told the exisitng retailers that if the ballot passes the beer companies will demand the Massachusetts legislature to allow beer sales in these stores. Beer and wine are the heart of the profit centers for liquor stores. Once all the new licenses (2800 proposed) get beer and wine, the independant liquor store is cooked. It is facinating to me to see everyone waving the flag saying buy American, but when an Americna industry is under assault from foreign global mega stores American wine drinkers abandon their American brothers who have served them so well for seventy years. Watching the supermarkets and this web site dupe the Massachusetts voter into distroying the last of the independant retailers remainds me of the Twilight Zone TV program where space invaders convinced earthlings to get on their spaceship when humans thought a book brought to earth entitled, "How to Serve People" was about serving humans, when in fact it was about eating them! I am a Massachusetts liquor retailer. The wine ballot is not about convenience, it is about global food distributors buying their way onto the Massachusetts ballot to change the commercial code of one industry. The only purpose of this ballot question is to wipe out the existing liquor industry through predatory pricng and eliminate the wholesale tier to enhance the profits of the mega retailers. In the end the consumer will have nothing to show but a couple of thousand empty storefronts. We have not had marches in the streets of Massachusetts with mobs demanding more liquor stores. These are European corporations buying Massachusetts commercial advantages with high priced slick advertising. Here is the inside scoop, the supermarket study showed voters would not vote for beer and wine licenses which is what the supermarkets really want. But,the beer industry has already told the exisitng retailers that if the ballot passes the beer companies will demand the Massachusetts legislature to allow beer sales in these stores. Beer and wine are the heart of the profit centers for liquor stores. Once all the new licenses (2800 proposed) get beer and wine, the independant liquor store is cooked. It is facinating to me to see everyone waving the flag saying buy American, but when an Americna industry is under assault from foreign global mega stores American wine drinkers abandon their American brothers who have served them so well for seventy years. Watching the supermarkets and this web site dupe the Massachusetts voter into distroying the last of the independant retailers remainds me of the Twilight Zone TV program where space invaders convinced earthlings to get on their spaceship when humans thought a book brought to earth entitled, “How to Serve People” was about serving humans, when in fact it was about eating them!

]]> By: Mark, Boston http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-465 Mark, Boston Fri, 15 Sep 2006 17:23:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-465 Why must buying wine be convenient? I agree that wine has become a larger part of our eating and entertaining culture, but is buying wine that inconvenient now? I can't drive 2 miles without passing a wine shop in Boston, and if I need something special I'll make a special trip. The issues here are underage drinking and corportate greed. Half of all theft in retail is committed by employees, not shoppers. Think those teenagers working at the supermarket are going to take a bottle or sell to their friends? Guess again. More importantly there is no accountability for these big stores. If a mom & pop sells to a minor they have their doors closed for few days, killing their business. A grocery store, would have to suspend wine sales for that time. Big deal. I think would should try to hold onto one of the last independent retail businesses left. At least until WalMart owns us all. Why must buying wine be convenient? I agree that wine has become a larger part of our eating and entertaining culture, but is buying wine that inconvenient now? I can’t drive 2 miles without passing a wine shop in Boston, and if I need something special I’ll make a special trip. The issues here are underage drinking and corportate greed. Half of all theft in retail is committed by employees, not shoppers. Think those teenagers working at the supermarket are going to take a bottle or sell to their friends? Guess again. More importantly there is no accountability for these big stores. If a mom & pop sells to a minor they have their doors closed for few days, killing their business. A grocery store, would have to suspend wine sales for that time. Big deal. I think would should try to hold onto one of the last independent retail businesses left. At least until WalMart owns us all.

]]> By: Rosie http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-466 Rosie Thu, 14 Sep 2006 08:43:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-466 I grew up in Oregon a state that does allow sales of wine in grocery stores. Grantend in the west you don't have the insaine blue laws you have in the east. Quite honestly I found the selection of wines at my local grocery store on par if not better than many specality wine stores in Manhattan. Also in the wine secton they did employ a staff who is knowledgable about wine. True not all stores do this, and yes you can buy your favorite jug or box of wine at the drug store, but so what? Like many thinks if you want a certan quality of product you will have to go to a specality store. This is true with lots of products that there are no restrictions on. Also I doubt Mass. will allow hard liquor sales in supermarkets any time soon which will keep package stores open. Now if last call in Mass was a little later than midnight... I grew up in Oregon a state that does allow sales of wine in grocery stores. Grantend in the west you don’t have the insaine blue laws you have in the east. Quite honestly I found the selection of wines at my local grocery store on par if not better than many specality wine stores in Manhattan. Also in the wine secton they did employ a staff who is knowledgable about wine. True not all stores do this, and yes you can buy your favorite jug or box of wine at the drug store, but so what? Like many thinks if you want a certan quality of product you will have to go to a specality store. This is true with lots of products that there are no restrictions on. Also I doubt Mass. will allow hard liquor sales in supermarkets any time soon which will keep package stores open. Now if last call in Mass was a little later than midnight…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-467 Anonymous Wed, 13 Sep 2006 14:33:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-467 Lets take another mom and pop out of the U.S. This law will put many stores out of business. Which includes knowledale sellers. Good luck finding one of thos 15 years old stock clerks to pick out a nice merlot with your dinner. Vote No, make helpful service more importand thatn conveniance. It starts with Wine, then beer, then Liquor. Many consumers want to keep the amount they consume private. Many people may have 2 people in the houseold who have 1 glass of wine with dinner. Thats two bottles a week, which in the public eye may seem excessive, their is a stigma with alcahol and consumption. By having friendly mom and pops it will still be seen as a classy part of our culture and not something to be put into a carriage alongside you coffe and cheese curls! Lets take another mom and pop out of the U.S. This law will put many stores out of business. Which includes knowledale sellers. Good luck finding one of thos 15 years old stock clerks to pick out a nice merlot with your dinner. Vote No, make helpful service more importand thatn conveniance. It starts with Wine, then beer, then Liquor. Many consumers want to keep the amount they consume private. Many people may have 2 people in the houseold who have 1 glass of wine with dinner. Thats two bottles a week, which in the public eye may seem excessive, their is a stigma with alcahol and consumption. By having friendly mom and pops it will still be seen as a classy part of our culture and not something to be put into a carriage alongside you coffe and cheese curls!

]]> By: Pirate Alice http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-468 Pirate Alice Wed, 13 Sep 2006 14:23:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-468 I live in Illinois where it is LEGAL to sell alcohol in the grocery store. There are plenty of Mom & Pop liquor stores in business, and I continue to see new ones opening. There are also large chain stores like Binny's & Sam's Wine etc that are doing just fine competing with the grocery stores as well as the other liquor stores.<BR/>The grocery stores here carry mostly the big named stuff, if you want something more exclusive, high-end, or if you just want more selection you go to the liquor store. Beer sales might drop for the Mom & Pop places...in MA but overall, if people are already in the habit of going elsewhere, it's hard to break habits. Also, if the package store is around the corner, you may be more likely to just go around the corner than make the trek to the grocery store.<BR/>And the argument that the grocery stores don't know how to tell if someone is over 21 is so lame. I was 27, buying beer for my DAD and I got carded in the grocery store. As long as the staff is trained properly, they will know what to do. And in Illinois the fines if you get caught serving anyone under age are enough to make all the shops follow the rules and card everyone who walks in the door.<BR/>Also, in IL you have to be over 21 to SELL liquor. So if I go to a cashier who isn't 21, she has to call over her supervisor to run the bottle of wine over the bar code reader. The young cashier can't even touch the bottle.<BR/>As for convience...Yes, it is very convient for me to pick up a bottle or two while doing my usual grocery shopping. But for those who claim that people who don't want to make an extra stop while shopping shouldn't be drinking, isn't this same "one stop shopping" concept that caused Wal-Mart to open the "Super" stores that sell groceries on top of the usual Wal-Mart fare? Those stores seem to be doing well. Consumers were happy with being able to do everything at one place. Did grocery stores go out of business because Wal-Mart started selling food? Not in my neighborhood. I still have the same selection of grocery stores that I had before Wal-Mart came to town. Do I shop at Wal-Mart? No, did I before they sold groceries? No. <BR/>I believe the "serious" wine drinker who wants more selection will continue to shop at the package store, while the causual wine drinker, who is OK with the Yellow Tail, who usually couldn't be bothered to make a second stop, will buy at the grocery store.<BR/>Another thing to consider, the grocery stores are either going to have to add on to the existing store space, or take away from some of their food inventory to make room for the liquor. Either way that could be costly. I live in Illinois where it is LEGAL to sell alcohol in the grocery store. There are plenty of Mom & Pop liquor stores in business, and I continue to see new ones opening. There are also large chain stores like Binny’s & Sam’s Wine etc that are doing just fine competing with the grocery stores as well as the other liquor stores.
The grocery stores here carry mostly the big named stuff, if you want something more exclusive, high-end, or if you just want more selection you go to the liquor store. Beer sales might drop for the Mom & Pop places…in MA but overall, if people are already in the habit of going elsewhere, it’s hard to break habits. Also, if the package store is around the corner, you may be more likely to just go around the corner than make the trek to the grocery store.
And the argument that the grocery stores don’t know how to tell if someone is over 21 is so lame. I was 27, buying beer for my DAD and I got carded in the grocery store. As long as the staff is trained properly, they will know what to do. And in Illinois the fines if you get caught serving anyone under age are enough to make all the shops follow the rules and card everyone who walks in the door.
Also, in IL you have to be over 21 to SELL liquor. So if I go to a cashier who isn’t 21, she has to call over her supervisor to run the bottle of wine over the bar code reader. The young cashier can’t even touch the bottle.
As for convience…Yes, it is very convient for me to pick up a bottle or two while doing my usual grocery shopping. But for those who claim that people who don’t want to make an extra stop while shopping shouldn’t be drinking, isn’t this same “one stop shopping” concept that caused Wal-Mart to open the “Super” stores that sell groceries on top of the usual Wal-Mart fare? Those stores seem to be doing well. Consumers were happy with being able to do everything at one place. Did grocery stores go out of business because Wal-Mart started selling food? Not in my neighborhood. I still have the same selection of grocery stores that I had before Wal-Mart came to town. Do I shop at Wal-Mart? No, did I before they sold groceries? No.
I believe the “serious” wine drinker who wants more selection will continue to shop at the package store, while the causual wine drinker, who is OK with the Yellow Tail, who usually couldn’t be bothered to make a second stop, will buy at the grocery store.
Another thing to consider, the grocery stores are either going to have to add on to the existing store space, or take away from some of their food inventory to make room for the liquor. Either way that could be costly.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-469 Anonymous Tue, 12 Sep 2006 14:43:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-469 I think you are all over thinking the problem. Some grocery stores want to pair good wine with good food, and yes, make a profit. There is nothing wrong with being profitable in this world - without capitalism where would we be? I for one would like to buy a nice wine along with the flavors I'm picking for dinner. Grocery stores won't necessarily carry the "two buck chuck" wines and if they do more power to the people that like them (though I have to admit Charles Shaw at TJ's is not that bad as a daily table wine if you drink daily). I don't have time to set up an account now so this is anon but not on purpose - enjoy! I'm voting yes (I want my merlot with a nice butternut squash ravioli in cream sauce together at last!) I think you are all over thinking the problem. Some grocery stores want to pair good wine with good food, and yes, make a profit. There is nothing wrong with being profitable in this world - without capitalism where would we be? I for one would like to buy a nice wine along with the flavors I’m picking for dinner. Grocery stores won’t necessarily carry the “two buck chuck” wines and if they do more power to the people that like them (though I have to admit Charles Shaw at TJ’s is not that bad as a daily table wine if you drink daily). I don’t have time to set up an account now so this is anon but not on purpose - enjoy! I’m voting yes (I want my merlot with a nice butternut squash ravioli in cream sauce together at last!)

]]> By: Bill L. http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-470 Bill L. Sun, 10 Sep 2006 09:59:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-470 Tell me you're not that naive Dr.? This has nothing to do with the large market chains providing a more conveinent service to their customers, this is just a very clever way to circumvent the three license system set up in Massachusetts. The grocers association has been trying for years to rid the three license laws here in Mass. Just having the "wine" question on the ballot was ingenious on their part. Let's face it, wine has a much more sophisticated aura to it then beer or spirits. What percentage of the population actually votes? And of that percentage what are their demographics? Hmmm? I'd be willing to bet more middle to upper class is my guess. Do you really think the voters here in the state would have jumped at the idea of creating over 2000 new full package licenses to be made available? Short answer, no. But, as an individual who works for a beer wholesaler here in the state, rest assured, if the wine vote is approved, ask those same people how they are going to feel when beer is right alongside the wine in all those stores within one years time. How much longer after that do you think spirits will be there? <BR/><BR/>Don't you feel there are enough stores in the state to sell these products already? "Mom and Pop" stores will fall so fast their heads will spin. Even the larger full package stores will suffer. Pretty soon we will be at the mercy of these retail giants as to what we can and can not buy. Whichever and whomever pays the most for the displays, endcaps, and shelvespace. Those looking for the obscure and craft beers they love, good luck. Same goes for you wine enthusiasts. Hope your favorite wines come in 1.75's or jugs. Perhaps they can interest you in a fine box wine?<BR/><BR/>This new law will not benefit just those large grocer chains either. Gas stations, conveinence stores and the like will also be able to obtain these new licenses. I can just imagine how the selection will be at your local Mobil, Exxon, or Hess. Maybe you can grab a bottle at CVS when you get your prescription too?<BR/><BR/>As I stated before Dr., I work at a BEER wholesaler. Beer is not the question on the ballot. We are all ( the beer wholesalers)putting alot of resources into trying to defeat Question 1. We do not feel this change in the current system will benefit anyone's conveinence other than that of the newly licensed stores. The more stores they put out of business, the better their bottom lines become. That being said, if this vote goes through, mark it down and put it in the books, every one of my fellow beer wholesalers, will have to do a complete 180 and now have to push to get beer right next to that wine in all 2000+ new stores.<BR/><BR/>So much for little Jonny riding his bike to the local corner store to get his baseball cards anymore. Maybe you can pick him up a pack in a 20+ person deep line at WAL-MART when you get your toilet paper, kitty litter, and oh yeah, your favorite box wine. Tell me you’re not that naive Dr.? This has nothing to do with the large market chains providing a more conveinent service to their customers, this is just a very clever way to circumvent the three license system set up in Massachusetts. The grocers association has been trying for years to rid the three license laws here in Mass. Just having the “wine” question on the ballot was ingenious on their part. Let’s face it, wine has a much more sophisticated aura to it then beer or spirits. What percentage of the population actually votes? And of that percentage what are their demographics? Hmmm? I’d be willing to bet more middle to upper class is my guess. Do you really think the voters here in the state would have jumped at the idea of creating over 2000 new full package licenses to be made available? Short answer, no. But, as an individual who works for a beer wholesaler here in the state, rest assured, if the wine vote is approved, ask those same people how they are going to feel when beer is right alongside the wine in all those stores within one years time. How much longer after that do you think spirits will be there?

Don’t you feel there are enough stores in the state to sell these products already? “Mom and Pop” stores will fall so fast their heads will spin. Even the larger full package stores will suffer. Pretty soon we will be at the mercy of these retail giants as to what we can and can not buy. Whichever and whomever pays the most for the displays, endcaps, and shelvespace. Those looking for the obscure and craft beers they love, good luck. Same goes for you wine enthusiasts. Hope your favorite wines come in 1.75’s or jugs. Perhaps they can interest you in a fine box wine?

This new law will not benefit just those large grocer chains either. Gas stations, conveinence stores and the like will also be able to obtain these new licenses. I can just imagine how the selection will be at your local Mobil, Exxon, or Hess. Maybe you can grab a bottle at CVS when you get your prescription too?

As I stated before Dr., I work at a BEER wholesaler. Beer is not the question on the ballot. We are all ( the beer wholesalers)putting alot of resources into trying to defeat Question 1. We do not feel this change in the current system will benefit anyone’s conveinence other than that of the newly licensed stores. The more stores they put out of business, the better their bottom lines become. That being said, if this vote goes through, mark it down and put it in the books, every one of my fellow beer wholesalers, will have to do a complete 180 and now have to push to get beer right next to that wine in all 2000+ new stores.

So much for little Jonny riding his bike to the local corner store to get his baseball cards anymore. Maybe you can pick him up a pack in a 20+ person deep line at WAL-MART when you get your toilet paper, kitty litter, and oh yeah, your favorite box wine.

]]> By: Mike M http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-471 Mike M Sun, 10 Sep 2006 07:57:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-471 Wine in supermarkets will reduce choice for consumers in Massachusetts. If the small mom and pop shops are put out of business, the types of wines that I buy will be harder to find. Does anyone think that the supermarkets will carry anything other than high volume low cost wines? <BR/>I am, against this question for several reasons. First, the local mom and pop shops are owned by people I know in my community. They have contributed to the little league, library fund and everything else. I have no idea who owns the Star supermarket in my town.<BR/>Second, the question allows anyone whose primary business is food to sell wine. That means that every convenient store or big box store is eligible to sell wine. Do we really want the people who work in some of these places selling wine? Here in Massachusetts, there is a story about once every six months on how these people don't card for underage tobacco sales. I can't believe that they would card for alcohol any better. Most of these are minimum wage or close to it jobs and they don't care.<BR/>Lastly, I don't buy this convenience argument. Quite frankly, with 2100 package stores in a small state like Massachusetts, if you can't find a convenient place to buy wine, you probably shouldn't be drinking. Wine in supermarkets will reduce choice for consumers in Massachusetts. If the small mom and pop shops are put out of business, the types of wines that I buy will be harder to find. Does anyone think that the supermarkets will carry anything other than high volume low cost wines?
I am, against this question for several reasons. First, the local mom and pop shops are owned by people I know in my community. They have contributed to the little league, library fund and everything else. I have no idea who owns the Star supermarket in my town.
Second, the question allows anyone whose primary business is food to sell wine. That means that every convenient store or big box store is eligible to sell wine. Do we really want the people who work in some of these places selling wine? Here in Massachusetts, there is a story about once every six months on how these people don’t card for underage tobacco sales. I can’t believe that they would card for alcohol any better. Most of these are minimum wage or close to it jobs and they don’t care.
Lastly, I don’t buy this convenience argument. Quite frankly, with 2100 package stores in a small state like Massachusetts, if you can’t find a convenient place to buy wine, you probably shouldn’t be drinking.

]]> By: Anali http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-472 Anali Sun, 03 Sep 2006 20:09:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-472 Very interesting post. I don't think this will really impact me that much, unless wine prices do decrease. I live in Quincy, and all the food stores I shop in sell tons of wine. Plus there are numerous other large and small liquor shops close by as well. Very interesting post. I don’t think this will really impact me that much, unless wine prices do decrease. I live in Quincy, and all the food stores I shop in sell tons of wine. Plus there are numerous other large and small liquor shops close by as well.

]]> By: Al http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/28/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-473 Al Wed, 30 Aug 2006 22:31:00 +0000 http://70.103.16.189/~drvinoco/wordpress/2006/08/ma-wine-sales-in-supermarkets/#comment-473 Brett,<BR/><BR/>I agree with you 100% about the three license law, but correct me if I am wrong, THAT vote is also coming very shortly. I also agree with Dr. Vino though. I would vote "YES" to both. I think that it is more likely that supermarkets carrying liquor will force Yellow Tail style package stores (which make up 99% of the liquor stores in MA) out of business and force other independent wine stores to be more creative with their wine selections. When I lived in Cambridge I shopped at Shaws for common groceries, Whole Foods for produce and Joe's for daily wine (and other goodies) all in the same evening. Yes, I know I could have bought wine at Whole Foods, but I just can't take their pricing seriously on daily's when Joe's is around the corner. If I wanted to get a special occasion wine I needed to walk down Mass ave. to the University Wine Shop, which, despite their size managed to stock some pretty interesting wines. When I first moved to Boston I really had to search high and low through many package stores to find one that actually sold a good bottle of wine. I HOPE (don't mean to be malicious) that grocery stores selling bad liquor will dry up the "wine" store market so the ones remaining truly have some defining characteristics. <BR/><BR/>I do think that the three license law is the bigger issue though. Now I live in Providence in a state that seems to have similar liquor laws to MA and have not yet been able to find a single store that sells a good bottle of wine. After anxiously waiting for the rumored Joe's to move in it seems that they may also be without wine. If MA changes the laws maybe RI will follow. <BR/><BR/>-Al Brett,

I agree with you 100% about the three license law, but correct me if I am wrong, THAT vote is also coming very shortly. I also agree with Dr. Vino though. I would vote “YES” to both. I think that it is more likely that supermarkets carrying liquor will force Yellow Tail style package stores (which make up 99% of the liquor stores in MA) out of business and force other independent wine stores to be more creative with their wine selections. When I lived in Cambridge I shopped at Shaws for common groceries, Whole Foods for produce and Joe’s for daily wine (and other goodies) all in the same evening. Yes, I know I could have bought wine at Whole Foods, but I just can’t take their pricing seriously on daily’s when Joe’s is around the corner. If I wanted to get a special occasion wine I needed to walk down Mass ave. to the University Wine Shop, which, despite their size managed to stock some pretty interesting wines. When I first moved to Boston I really had to search high and low through many package stores to find one that actually sold a good bottle of wine. I HOPE (don’t mean to be malicious) that grocery stores selling bad liquor will dry up the “wine” store market so the ones remaining truly have some defining characteristics.

I do think that the three license law is the bigger issue though. Now I live in Providence in a state that seems to have similar liquor laws to MA and have not yet been able to find a single store that sells a good bottle of wine. After anxiously waiting for the rumored Joe’s to move in it seems that they may also be without wine. If MA changes the laws maybe RI will follow.

-Al

]]>