Chains Renew Efforts to Loosen Alcohol Sales Law

A bill seeks to allow stores to hold up to 20 licenses within Massachusetts, but not more than one in any town.

May 12, 2011

BOSTON - Grocery store owners in Massachusetts are fighting for more flexibility in selling beer and wine in their stores, the Boston Herald reports.

Currently, storeowners can only sell alcohol once they receive a permit from local communities, and they are limited to three permits within the state, which makes it difficult for chain stores to sell alcohol.

Lawmakers heard testimony to change that restriction earlier this week, as bill S1851, filed by Senator Michael Rodrigues, seeks to allow stores to hold up to 20 licenses within the state, but not more than one in any town.

Grocery store owners maintain the licenses will enable them to boost sales, especially in smaller stores trying to compete with large chains, according to Jon Hurst, president of the Massachusetts Retailers Association.

Opponents include the package store industry, which has battled grocery stores since 2008 when the latter offered the idea to voters in a ballot referendum that failed.

Hurst said loosening the alcohol law is a "common sense expansion."

"It would be a great thing for consumers," Hurst said. "It brings people into your store, and creates impulse buys. If you are getting steaks for the night, then you pick up a bottle of wine as an impulse. It is a sales driver."

Critics maintain the bill would harm small storeowners and independently owned package stores.

For more on state beer laws and potential changes, be on the lookout for the June issue of NACS Magazine.

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