KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It’s been less than a year since Tennessee removed restrictions to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell wine, and the anecdotal results have been overwhelmingly positive, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports.

“Wine sales across Tennessee seem to be very strong, and in many cases have exceeded expectations,” said Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association. While the association doesn’t have firm data yet, “every indication is that it is a net gain for [our members],” he said.

Currently, the number of retail food stores licensed to sell wine stands at 635 locations.

“Wine has been very well received in our stores,” said Kroger spokeswoman Melissa Eads. “We’ve been very pleased, and the customers continue to like the convenience of being able to buy wine along with their groceries.”

Food City stocks wine in 84 Tennessee stores. “By far and away it has been successful,” Steve Smith, president and CEO, said. “We’ve had some stores that you thought would be mediocre that have turned out to really do well and some that you thought would do great but have not done so well.”

Legislation has been introduced to remove restrictions that prohibit the retail sale of wine on Sundays and holidays. “The real kicker is on holidays,” Smith said. “For the Fourth of July, you will have a customer come in and buy some burgers and some beer and a bottle of wine and we have to tell them we can’t sell them the wine. They look at us and say ‘Why?’ and it is hard to explain and embarrassing for the customer.”