Local opposition mounts to wine sales in grocery, convenience stores

GOSHEN – The Rules Committee of the Orange County Legislature has gone on record opposed to proposed legislation in Albany that would permit wine sales in grocery and convenience stores.

Currently beer is sold in those retail establishments.

Among the concerns, said committee Chairman Frank Fornario, there would be an additional cost to patrol those locations.

“The State Liquor Authority would then have to police 19,000 grocery stores, that would apply for the sale of wine, and they would need the manpower and womanpower to do that, so it’s extra cost to the government there,” he said. There is also the issue of underage drinking, making liquor more accessible to youth, Fornario said.

Locals are concerned that small liquor stores could be significantly impacted by the sale of wine in grocery stores.

Thirty-five states, including New Jersey, in some counties, allow sales in those facilities.