Two new bills introduced in New York are seeking to reshape how and where wine and related products are sold, attempting to balance long-standing tensions between grocery and liquor stores.
The first bill proposes allowing grocery stores to sell wine, but with a specific caveat: only wines made from New York-grown ingredients or produced within the state would qualify. Supporters say this would promote local vineyards and producers while opening up a new market for in-state wines.
A second bill would ease restrictions on liquor stores, permitting them to sell certain food items such as cheese, crackers, olives, and other wine-pairing products. Currently, liquor stores are prohibited from selling these items, limiting their ability to offer a more comprehensive shopping experience for customers.
Despite the proposed compromise, liquor store owners remain wary. Roughly 60% of their sales come from wine, and many fear that even a limited introduction of wine into grocery stores could significantly cut into their business.
The bills are still under discussion and have yet to come up for a vote.
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