The governor included a bill to allow wine sales in grocery stores in his last extender bill. Over the weekend, the legislature rejected it.
Some area wineries say they're disappointed. At Fox Run Vineyards, management says it's impossible for them to grow their business unless they have more local outlets where they can sell their wine. They say they're not giving up until a full budget is in place. Fox Run president Scott Osborn said, "Our industry is being held back from growing, expanding because of restrictive laws we have protecting a small group of people--the liquor stores."
Many liquor stores have been opposed to the idea from the start saying it would put lots of stores out of business and consumers wouldn't get the selection of wines like they do now. Brian Hughes at Pascale's Liquor Square said, "We have as much selection as states that have wine in grocery. We have competitive pricing and the state should just move forward and allow small business to get back on course."
At Pascale's Liquor square, they say wine is 2/3 their volume and 3/4 their revenue.
