Liquor stores push back against Gov. Wes Moore's support of alcohol sales inside grocery stores

Tommie Clark | WBALTV11 | Dec.12, 2024 | Original Source

BALTIMORE —

On Wednesday, Gov. Wes Moore announced he wants lawmakers to remove the ban on alcohol sales in grocery stores.

Maryland is one of three states that still bans beer sales in groceries and one of 10 that bans the sale of wine.

The governor's stance is getting big pushback from local liquor stores.

"I've been doing it 34 years, and we've never had a governor that stepped into it like this," said Maryland Licensed Beverage Association legislative co-chair and Monaghan's Pub owner Jack Milani.

Milani runs a west Baltimore County pub and liquor store. He is also with the state's Licensed Beverage Association. He called Moore's support for lifting the ban on alcohol in grocers disheartening.

"We would've thought, if nothing else, let's have a discussion with it. And just didn't happen for whatever reason," Milani said.

In a statement, Moore said:

"Maryland is one of a handful of states in the nation where consumers can only buy beer and wine from specialized stores—resulting in less consumer choice and putting our stores at a disadvantage. Lifting this ban puts the consumers first, and ensures fair competition in the marketplace.

"As other states have done, I am confident that the General Assembly will be able to address the concerns from opponents of this policy change that more than 40 states have adopted in a thoughtful manner. I look forward to working with our legislative partners to advance this overdue change in policy to advance consumer choice and economic competitiveness that enjoys the support of the vast majority of Marylanders across political parties and regions across the state."

He plans to work with the general assembly to get a bill to his desk this session.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said he's willing to consider a change, but both sides need to come to a consensus -- at the moment, he does not see a path.

At family owned liquor stores like Wells Discount Liquors off York Road, the owner said she's all too familiar with the conversation to bring alcohol sales to grocery store shelves.

The store is in its 88th year, and JoAnn Hyatt's family has been running the small business since the 1970s. She's adamantly opposed to Moore's stance.

"The trickle-down effect is devastating if this happens. It truly is. People don't understand — tons of stores will go out of business. They will not be able to survive — 53 lots of stores will have to cut their staff in half. I won't probably need half of my staff," said Hyatt, who owns Wells Discount Liquors.

In the meantime, grocers like Wegmans told 11 News: "Wegmans is in favor of providing convenience for Maryland consumers and supporting the Maryland wine and beer industries. We support giving Maryland consumers access to wine and beer in grocery stores."

Time will tell if the change happens this time around.

"I think people really need to stop and think what effect this could have down the road," Milani said.

The Maryland Retailers Alliance, Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores and Maryland Food Industry Council sent a statement to 11 News, saying:

"It's time for Maryland to modernize its alcohol regulations as it pertains to beer and wine sales and join the vast majority of America in allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell these products. Public opinion broadly supports this initiative as demonstrated in polling data, and letting grocery stores and similar food retailers to expand their services to customers will clearly be a beneficial step for economic development and private sector investment in many communities across Maryland.

"Our food retailers don't want to hurt existing liquor stores — we aren't asking to sell liquor or spirits, and firmly believe that both types of businesses can and will exist in harmony without damaging the economic viability of virtually any business.

"We are open to a variety of good faith options and ideas that are good for Maryland's businesses, our communities and most importantly, our consumers who understand that convenience and freedom of choice among store options is always in their best interest.

"Our businesses, which employ many thousands of Marylanders, are thankful for Gov. Moore's understanding of this issue and his leadership as we head into the upcoming legislative session."