A coalition of convenience and grocery stores said Wednesday that they will renew their push for Sunday carry-out alcohol
sales and cold sales of beer, but with a twist.
Rather than seeking sales of all cold beer, the Alliance of Responsible Alcohol Retailers will ask lawmakers to let them
sell cold Indiana-brewed beer.
State Sen. Phil Boots, R-Crawfordsville, and Rep. Cindy Noe, R-Indianapolis, plan to introduce the bills.
“I am pleased to sponsor this legislation to change Indiana’s outdated alcohol laws,” Boots said in a statement.
“I have listened to Hoosiers who want greater shopping convenience, expanded buying choices and more competitive pricing.”
Indiana is currently one of only 13 states that prohibit the carry-out sale of alcohol on Sundays. It is the only state that
distinguishes the types of retailers that can sell beer based on temperatures, according to the alliance.
The group is likely facing a tough fight. Similar proposals have not received legislative support in the past, in part because
the owners of liquor stores, which are permitted to sell cold beer, say they are meant to drive them out of business.
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Group plans another push for Sunday alcohol sales
Franklin College News Bureau
December 14, 2011
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This ridiculous bill is even more unfair than the others proposed. Just think about it...what Liquor Store is going to open on Sunday just to sell Indiana Beer? Talk about a bill being introduced for JUST the Grocery and C-Stores, that are already staffed and open on Sundays. Then, I guarantee you, the next year they will come back with; "Since we already sell Indiana Beer on Sundays, why not let us sell all beer, wine, and liquor in our stores". Are politicians Phil Boots and Cindy Noe (by the way I am Republican and believe in the American way of business) so blind that they can't see this? They clearly don't get the issue at hand. They need to sit down with The Liquor Store Association and learn why there is a fight.
The fight is about fairness and equitibility. Much more so than it is about us lazy liquor store owners just wanting Sunday off.
1. Make the Groceries and C-Stores pay the same price that we paid for our Liquor Store licenses...about $175,000 on average.
2. Have the same Liquor License/Population quotas apply to Groceries and C-Stores that apply to Liquor stores. If I want to open another Liquor Store...I have to buy an existing one, or wait for a state auction based on census population.
3. Make them enforce a seperate section for 21 year olds in their stores. Currently one of the big Grocers has Toys on one side of the aisle and liquor on the other side. Are they keeping alcohol away from minors? As you know, you can't even come into a Liquor Store unless you are 21.
4. Make their cashiers be 21 years old to help keep alcohol out of the hands of minors.
5. Make all their employees that work in contact with alcohol pass Safe Service Alcohol classes, like Liquor Stores.
6. Did you know a Liquor Store can not sell Candy, Gum, Cold Pop, or Fresh Foods? Where is that on the Senators equality and convenience proposal.
Believe it or not, the Package store industry does understand this from the consumers point of view as to why you might want Sunday sales, but this is bigger than that.
The Groceries and C-Stores want the same right we paid $175,000 (and quite often more) for a few hundred dollars. Either give us back our $175,000 per license, or charge them $175,000 for each license they want.
They say this is a turf war. Hell yes its a turf war. A minimum $175,000 turf war per store.
Kahn's is specialized. If this should ever pass, Kahns will survive. But I can tell you there are hundreds of small Liquor Stores all over the state, that will close. You can count on it.
If this should pass, I can just see the Grocery Stores next piece of legislation in 2013; "Since you already allow us to sell Indiana Beer, why not let us sell the rest of the Beer, Liquor, and Wine we carry...this would be more convenient for Hoosiers."
Then, when that passes, in 2014 they will introduce; "We are looking out for the consumer and believe there should only be Liquor, Wine, and Cold Beer, in Grocery Stores. With the Liquor Stores, there are just to many licenses, and alcohol is too easy to get in the hands of our children. We should eliminate Liquor Stores in Indiana all together. We Grocery Stores can service the needs of the fine Hoosiers of our state."
Remember when we had "Small Town" Grocery stores...gone. Remember when we had small town Pharmacies...gone. Remember when we had small town Gas Stations...gone. Well, all but a few in the state.
Remember when we had small town Liquor Stores...The writing is on the wall...if you allow it.
Hey, but thank goodness we have Wall-Mart, Meier, CVS, and Walgreens. Don't they add wonderfully to the Hoosier Landscape.
Cheers!
Jim Arnold
Owner
Kahns Fine Wines & Spirits
What needs to be done before we even talk about cold beer and Sunday sales is make the playing field a little more even (rule-wise).. Grocery and C stores should not be allowed to sell beer, wine or liquor for less than they pay for it when they purchase it from the wholesaler PERIOD. Grocery stores should not allow anyone under 21 to even walk down the aisle that contains alcohol (nobody under 21 can even legally enter a liquor store why should they see all the booze in the box stores??) There should be a floor for profit margin as well to allow the package stores to retail their items for a similar price and make a good profit (grocery stores make thier money on bread, milk, and cheese ect.) they just sell alcohol dirt cheap for convienience not to make a profit and it crushes the liquor stores. Also Soda, Water, and Energy Drinks should be allowed to be sold chilled in package stores like they are in the grocery stores (dumbest law ever.)
I think if we want to have fewer choices and locations to buy liquor voting for this idea is up your alley. Personally, I dont want to have to buy my alcohol from Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, Marsh or Target they have limited sections and no personal touch whatsoever.
**Protect Local Business... buy from package stores and local businesses more often... (it may be occationally a few dollars more for your favorite product but more of your money will stay in your community:)
And the idea of only selling cold Indiana brewed beer is dumb. Allow it to all be sold cold.
I think it would cut down on alcohol related accidents on Saturday nights & Sundays.