New coalition criticizes state’s proposal to sell wine in grocery stores

NEW YORK – Small business owners and independent wine sellers from around the state Wednesday announced a new coalition, The Last Store on Main Street, to stop the state’s proposal to legalize the sale of wine in grocery stores, mini-marts, delis, gas stations and bodegas in every neighborhood in New York.

If implemented, this change would devastate many small businesses and cost the state thousands of valuable jobs. Additionally, the sale of wine in every store where beer is now available would give teenagers greater access to alcohol – resulting in a heightened risk of underage drinking and fatal drunk driving accidents.

Massachusetts voters rejected a similar idea just last year because of the devastating impact it would have had on teenagers, no state has passed this kind of measure in 23 years. In Florida, California and Texas, three states where wine is sold everywhere, the number of alcohol related fatalities per 100,000 is more than double that of New York State. Even worse, alcohol related fatalities of those under age 21 are three times higher in these states where wine is sold everywhere, as compared to New York which has independently owned licensees, legally responsible for preventing youth from purchasing alcohol.

“By putting wine in every store where beer is now sold, teenagers will have easier access to alcohol without the scrutiny that wine sellers and liquor stores provide. That’s a dangerous idea that will only lead to an increase in underage drinking and drunk driving deaths,” said Michael Correra, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Package Store Association. “We have worked hard as an industry to promote the responsible use of alcohol by adults, and this proposal sets back that effort dramatically. It’s wrong and should be defeated.”

Thousands of small business owners from across the state have gathered to form the Last Store on Main Street coalition to lead the fight against the legalization of wine sales in supermarkets. Due to the severe and even life-threatening consequences New Yorkers may face if this proposal goes into effect, the coalition has also launched a user-friendly website which provides detailed information on the issue. Facts about job loss and underage drinking, and ways to take action such as writing members of the legislature through the coalition’s online email system are also available on the site. To access the website, log on to www.lastmainstreetstore.com.