Wine in Supermarkets?

[blockclubof1]

On Dec. 16th, Governor Paterson proposed to legalize the sale of wine in grocery stores. If this becomes law, small businesses in every corner of NY will be forced to close costing us hundreds of valuable jobs at a time when New Yorkers cannot afford any more job loss.

The move will also affect the NY wine industry, one of the only growing business sectors in the State. Grocery stores are only going to stock the most popular wines (Yellow Tail, Beringers, Mondavi, etc), wines that are cheap and sell quickly. New York wine will only be carried in the larger mega-markets like Wegmans. No longer will these wineries be able to sell to small liquor stores and wine shops, because there won't be any!

The consumer will also suffer. No longer will there be a large choice for the wine consumer. This radical shift will cause shortages and unavailability of many wines. The Mega-Weggies and Tops will control the price as well. Just compare the prices of Weggie food to the prices at Sloan Market or Guercio's.

The only business that will stand to gain will be Wegmans. Plain and simple. And how much more money does Danny really need? When was the last time Wegmans did you a favor or improve your neighborhood?

Is Danny in Paterson's pocket?

[Cgoodsp466]

Michigan supermarkets sell Beer wine booze a one stop shop. I want that here becuase it will make it mor cionvienent for the private sector folks. When we go buy our cat food beacuase the public sector fools drove up our taxes . We can but booze to ease the pain.God I do love being hammered.

[blockclubof1]

Are you saying that you need to booze up before you eat the cat food? Detroit is a real nice place.

[Cgoodsp466]

Are you saying that you like cat food with your booze?

I am saying if we dont put you tree huggers on a short leash that will be all we can afford. I am half in the bag right now. God I love Fridays.

[FisherRd]

When was the last time Wegmans did you a favor or improve your neighborhood?

Blockhead,
Are you saying corner liquor stores improve the neighborhood or do people favors?
You're special, never change.

[Anotherview]

This is just another example of how short-sighted (no pun intended) our governor really is.

I am not a wine drinker but I do purchase a good amount during the year for holiday get togethers, family dinners and parties.

I will continue to go to the liquor store because the personnell is very helpful to people like me, who know very little about good wines.

I so hope Paterson does something to get ousted out of office before his time.

[Save Us]

Why other than protecting liquor stores is this even an issue?

[Anotherview]

It's not protecting just liquor stores, it's protecting small businesses and the jobs associated with them.

[FisherRd]

The Liquor Store owner gets screwed basically. They don't have a fair shot.

They can't sell cups, napkins, Soda or Tonic Water, etc

If NYS lets Liquor stores compete (selling the above, plus juices and some other things) then it may be a different story. But if NYS simply lets Grocery Stores sell wine, then it's typical non-thinking BS.

[therising]

Why other than protecting liquor stores is this even an issue?

Look at it this way....

The liquor stores are all in business precisely because the State has set it up like that. The State said "we're going to make it so that there is very few things you can sell....BUT, in exchange for that, we're not gonna let anyone else sell wine and liquor."

So, you get thousands of legitimate, local, family-owned businesses across the state that are set up shop based on this premise. Due to the fact that they're not allowed to (technically) own more than one store, there is no other example of an industry that is more Mom and Pop than liquor stores -- none. They are he epitome of locally owned businesses.

Now, Paterson says "we're really broke this year, so we're going to do anything to raise a few bucks, including screwing you big-time".

Every single one of the local liquor stores will be affected drastically by this.

[mesue]

I like the idea of wine in supermarkets. I look forward to it. In NC you can buy wine in the supermarkets, but there isn't much of a selection, because there isn't a whole lot of room to devote to the wine. I think the same would hold true in Wegmans or Tops. It isn't like they're going to build additions to their stores just so they can sell wine. I don't think it will hurt the wine industry at all. NC has a thriving and growing list of vineyards. NC still has wine stores, like Premier, where the selection is great. I don't think the liquor stores will fold because of this, unless all they sell is wine and have higher prices than, say, Premier. It isn't like Wegmans is going to sell Stolie or Redbreast. Those will still belong to the liquor stores, as it should be.
Should beer be sold exclusively in liquor stores?

[blockclubof1]

Blockhead,
Are you saying corner liquor stores improve the neighborhood or do people favors?
You're special, never change.

No. I asked if Wegmans ever improved your neighborhood or did you any favors? They moved out of my neighborhood leaving an empty store (Galleria).
I'm asking this because they control and monopolize the price you pay for food. Compare Wegmans prices to Sloan Market, Guercio's, Hertel Farmers Market...all lower.

[FisherRd]

I'm asking this because they control and monopolize the price you pay for food. Compare Wegmans prices to Sloan Market, Guercio's, Hertel Farmers Market...all lower.

If the others are all lower than Wegmans, then how is Wegmans controlling and monopolizing the pricing?

[Jim Ostrowski]

Paterson is right for the wrong reason. He wants to raise money.

What we need to do it get rid of all the silly laws, licenses and fees on booze.

Let anyone sell it without a license.

Let the liquor stores sell whatever the hell they want.

We have a myriad of laws and lawyers willing to sue drunk drivers, etc.

There are how many law enforcement agencies to enforce alcohol laws?

As always the free market is the answer.

[Save Us]

Paterson is right for the wrong reason. He wants to raise money.

What we need to do it get rid of all the silly laws, licenses and fees on booze.

Let anyone sell it without a license.

Let the liquor stores sell whatever the hell they want.

We have a myriad of laws and lawyers willing to sue drunk drivers, etc.

There are how many law enforcement agencies to enforce alcohol laws?

As always the free market is the answer.

Jim, you damn well the decision made will not be in the publics best interest anyway you look at it.