Liquor Stores Fighting Back on Grocer’s Bill to Sell Booze
02/08/10 - 05:55 PM
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Grocery stores are making another push to sell alcohol, and liquor stores are fighting back. Two bills are going to committee in the House of Representatives Wednesday. If passed, those bills would allow grocery stores to sell booze.

One bill, by Representative Larry Liston, would allow convenience stores to sell full-strength beer. The other, written by Representative Buffie McFadyen, would allow grocers to buy out nearby liquor outlets. Meaning more convenience for the customer, more revenue for grocery stores, but liquor store owners worry it could ultimately put them out of business.

Brandi Pollock, the owner of Fisher’s Liquor Barn, says if passed, the bills would mean tougher times for liquor stores. “Grocery stores wouldn’t be hiring more people, I would have to let some go,” said Pollock.

But that’s not the case said Diane Mulligan, spokesperson for Fair Markets Colorado.  “Grocers would have to hire approximately 5 people to cover the liquor department if they receive a liquor license,” said Mulligan.

Further, the grocery stores having that revenue mean the money would go out of state, she added. “It’s overwhelming going up against the Kroger’s and Safeways. Not to mention the Walmarts. They want these bills to pass too,” said Pollock.

The bills would mean that employees under 21 years old would be able to sell alcohol. Pollock says that’s a safety concern. Right now, her employees go to training put on by the City of Grand Junction to make sure they know what to look for. She doubts that would happen with grocery store employees. “It would be a lot easier for people under 21 to get alcohol,” said Pollock.

She says Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is one of the liquor stores’ supporters. She also said that grocery stores would be allowed to sell liquor until 2:00 a.m. Right now, liquor stores have to stop selling at midnight.

Both Pollock and her employees are worried about their jobs. “If my hours got cut, I would need to find another job. Or have a part-time job,” said Julie Miller, Fisher’s Liquor Store Manager.

Groups that are for the bill say that it doesn’t mean that liquor stores wuold have a harder time.  They say the store owners would have a choice.
“This proposal protects small businesses because individual liquor stores can either choose to sell their business to their neighborhood grocery store or choose to maintain to current status quo without new competitors,” said Diane Mulligan, spokesperson for Fair Markets Colorado, a coalition that supports House Bill 1279.

She also says that the stores would have adequately.  There is one Safeway in Littleton that has sold Liquor since 2007, said Mulligan. “The checkers in the one Safeway store that is allowed to carry [alcohol] are trained and re-trained every month in appropriate liquor sales procedures,” said Mulligan.

“There have been no liquor violations since the store opened. When people check out, the registers lock up on a liquor purchase and a special code, along with a check of ID is required. That can only be done by a checker over the age of 21 or a manager. There are security cameras watching every checker. There are also uniformed and under cover security guards in every store,” added Mulligan.

There is an obvious convenience for customers. But the ones I spoke with say they would go farther if that meant people could stay in business. “If you can’t drive a little more to buy alcohol, then you shouldn’t be drinking it,” said Stephen Rink, Fisher’s Liquor Barn customer. Rink said he also sees how there would be a safety concern with underage drinking. “If you’re not 21 years old you, shouldn’t be around liquor,” said Rink.

And although he supports business owners of the liquor stores, business owner Cameron Collard admits he would like the convenience. “It would be nice to be able to get everything you needed at the grocery stores, like for when I go camping,” said Collard.

A representative for King Sooper’s and City Market said they’re very interested in the bill, said Trail Daugherty. He added their consumers have expressed interest in buying stronger beer and wine and potentially spirits.

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