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Fiery Sword · 11-07-2006, 04:49 PM

Out here in Massachusetts land we've got this ballot question today regarding selling wine in liquor stores. As opposed to a lot of places in the US, most booze here in Mass is sold at package stores who make 95+% of their money on beers, wines, and alcohol alone. Liquor licenses are usually hard to come by in most communities, cost a fortune, and are often tied up with all sorts of legal issues. The thought is to create and give out a new breed of liquor licenses to food stores so that they can sell wine. Not beer, not liquor, just wine.

I bring this up for a few reasons. I, personally, don't have any problem with competition. If it were up to me, I'd be able to get a 6 of north Coast at Radio Shack while I was buying some bateries for the clicker or something. My issue is actually - why stop at wine? Why not, at least, beer?

I don't buy the "selling liquor is dangerous to our kids" argument that opponents of this ballot question like to push. They feel that the less places that there are to buy alcohol, the better. Period. Alcohol is bad, our kids have an endless appetite for it, and people who sell it are irresponsible. The government must protect out kids!!!

What is the liquor-sale situation where some of you are from? Has any place undergone this transformation from exclusive liquor stores to food/convience stores being the primary suppliers?

This is inverse-progress in Massachusetts. We just got rid of a bunch of old blue laws withing the last few years......WE CAN FINALLY GO TO THE PACKIE ON SUNDAY NOW!!! I hope we don't go backwards....again.

**the_bird** · 11-07-2006, 04:54 PM

Well, the propoganda that those opposed to Question 1 are presenting are based in large part on slippery slope - first wine in grovery stores, then wine in convenience stores, then beer, then hard liquor, then heroin and meth. It's crazy. It has nothing to do with public safety (are our streets any safer from drunk drivers than those in states that DO allow grocery stores to sell alcohol? If so, they would have beaten us over the head with the stats by now). It's all about competition and the monopoly interest that the packies have now.

I tell you, the grocery stores that I *can* buy booze in (Price Chopper in Pittsfield, Whole Foods in Hadley) are a LOT more stringent about selling to me (I look a lot younger than I am) than the average package store. Take that for what it's worth.

**olllllo** · 11-07-2006, 04:58 PM

Want the answer: Follow the money.
Probably not a strong wine lobby, but a sronger liquor/beer distributor lobby doesn't want to rock the boat on their sweet deal.

In AZ, you can go to a Circle K and buy a Bud Light tall boy at the counter all iced up and ready for you to crack on your way home. (Illegal to have open container in the car, so why would it be at the counter ready to drink?)

I also expereinced this at a gas station on I-57 outside of Cairo, IL miles from any farmhouse or residence. Road Coke anyone?

**the_bird** · 11-07-2006, 05:01 PM

I love Ohio's drive-through convenience stores; you can get a six-pack from the comfort of your driver's seat.

Fiery Sword · 11-07-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

I love Ohio's drive-through convenience stores; you can get a six-pack from the comfort of your driver's seat.

I heave heard of these, but I feared they might just be a highway mirage. They do exist!

Todd · 11-07-2006, 05:09 PM

here in PA it is really messd up.

Want wine or liquor you have to go to the state store, this is a state run store which keeps a tight control over what you can buy and where you can get it. The have a terrible selection and the prices are high.

Beer, want a six pack or a case. Cases only from a beer distributor and sixxers only from a Bar.

Our state sucks, the reason is all the money and power. We also have liquor liscense that is very tough and expensive to get.

I was down in VA this summer and you can get beer and wine in the grocery store and they even sold it at the pizza shop.

If MA is asking if you want another option to buy wine I would vote YES. This can only help, after some time start to push for other options.

Desert_Sky · 11-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_bird

I love Ohio's drive-through convenience stores; you can get a six-pack from the comfort of your driver's seat.

I was up in Flagstaff a couple years back. THe drive through liquor store sold us a bottle of Jim Beam and a box of shotgun shells.

Todd · 11-07-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiery Sword

I heave heard of these, but I feared they might just be a highway mirage. They do exist!

We have a drive through beer distributor where you get cases and never leave the car.

Cheesefood · 11-07-2006, 05:17 PM

You can buy beer and wine at just about every convenience store or grocery store (which also sell hard) and most gas stations. In addition, there are liquor stores EVERYWHERE that sell beer, wine, hard liquor, etc.

Most liquor stores and c-stores in my area are owned by Indo-Pak immigrants. Some of the stores can stay sell alcohol as late as 4am, but most liquor stores close at 10:00-1:00am. 7-11 sells beer and wine (used to sell hard). I have a 7-11 and a liquor store across the street.

**Yuri_Rage** · 11-07-2006, 05:22 PM

I grew up in PA where liquor might as well have been the devil in a bottle (see Todd's post above). So, it's always amazing to me how easy it is to get beverages in almost any other state. Here in NM, I can buy beer, wine, and liquor at Wal Mart!