New York Lawmakers Fail to Pass Grocery Wine Sales Bill

News Summary

New York lawmakers are concluding their legislative session without a bill that would permit grocery stores to sell wine. While this proposed legislation is stalled, there is optimism surrounding other alcohol-related measures aimed at assisting restaurants and small businesses. A significant shift in lobbying dynamics is occurring, as Empire Merchants withdraws its opposition to a bill enabling local restaurants to buy liquor from stores. Meanwhile, a coalition of grocery stores plans to push for wine sales in supermarkets in 2025, highlighting the ongoing debate over New York’s outdated alcohol regulations.

New York state lawmakers are set to conclude their legislative session without passing a bill that would allow grocery stores to sell wine. Despite this setback, there is a sense of optimism surrounding various alcohol-related legislative efforts aimed at benefiting restaurants and small businesses across the state.

The proposal to allow grocery stores to sell wine was underdeveloped and requires further work, leaving proponents disappointed as the Senate plans to conclude its legislative business soon. Meanwhile, recent developments have included the withdrawal of opposition by Empire Merchants, a major alcohol distributor, regarding a bill that would enable restaurants and taverns to purchase up to six bottles of liquor from local stores each week. This amendment appears likely to be voted on, with the Senate expected to take action on the measure in the coming days.

As New York’s legislative session wraps up, the Assembly is scheduled to end its session by the following Tuesday. Lawmakers are prioritizing the modernization of alcohol regulations to assist local eateries and improve the overall market landscape, although the effort to legalize grocery wine sales remains stalled.

Recent surveys indicate that approximately three-quarters of New Yorkers support the legalization of wine sales in grocery stores. However, concerns persist regarding the impact on family-owned liquor stores if such measures are implemented without adequate safeguards. Amendments to recent legislation have allowed liquor stores to expand their product offerings to include snacks, tobacco, and drink mixers, but many believe these adjustments may not provide sufficient protection for local businesses.

Diving deeper into the current political climate, the sales of distilled spirits within New York have dropped by about 15%. This decline is partly attributed to rising cannabis use, indicating a shifting landscape in the state’s alcohol consumption habits. Governor Kathy Hochul has mulled over the inclusion of provisions for grocery wine sales in her executive budget proposal; however, no such measures have been confirmed as of now.

While progress is being made specifically for restaurants, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits remains resolutely opposed to the proposed retail-to-retail liquor purchase bill, even with the retreat of other opposition. Efforts to allow liquor store owners to hold multiple retail licenses appear unlikely to move forward this year, further complicating the matter for those in the liquor industry.

A coalition of grocery stores and business groups is preparing to advocate for the legalization of wine sales in supermarkets in 2025, hoping to build on prior legislative accomplishments. Notably, New York remains one of just ten states that do not permit wine sales in grocery establishments—a lingering remnant from Prohibition-era regulations.

The sentiment among lawmakers and industry officials that New York’s liquor control laws are outdated is growing, particularly following dozens of successful updates in recent years. Currently, discussions are ongoing regarding how to strike a balance between the interests of grocery stores and local liquor retailers.

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter has put forth a bill aimed at limiting competitive pressures between grocery and liquor stores. Proposed amendments may include geographical restrictions on the locations of grocery stores concerning nearby liquor stores, as well as restrictions that prevent the sale of grocery store-produced wines in these grocery establishments. This legislative initiative is viewed as a means to better support local producers and adapt to the evolving alcohol market dynamics in New York.

As lawmakers wrap up this legislative session, all eyes are on the evolving dialogue surrounding liquor sales, with the potential for significant change in the near future.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Spectrum Local News: Bill to Sell Wine in N.Y. Grocery Stores to Stall Another Year
• CNY Central: Buying Wine in New York State Grocery Stores Gets Closer to Reality
• City & State NY: Grocery Stores Launch New Coalition Push for Wine Sales
• Food & Wine: Craft Distillery Lawsuit Against New York State Liquor Authority
• Newsweek: New York Alcohol Law Changes and Its Impact on Drink Industry