This week, we asked readers for their opinions on proposed State bill which, if passed, would allow supermarkets to sell wine under a new license which would only be available to full-service grocery stores primarily engaged in the sale of food, which already have a license for off-premises beer sales, and which have a surface area of more than 5,000 sq. ft. Incentives would also be given to supermarkets to sell New York wine.

 

Bill S.6786 is sponsored by Democratic State Sen. Liz Krueger (S.D.28), who represents the Upper East side of Manhattan and A.6989 is sponsored by Democratic Assembly Member Pamela Hunter (A.D. 128), who represents the Upstate New York area around Syracuse.

 

Metro Package Store Association, New York State Liquor Store Association, and the Retailers Alliance have said a recent survey that suggested a majority of New Yorkers want to purchase wine in supermarkets was funded by a “New York State of Wine” coalition.”  The groups allege the poll, conducted by the Siena College Research Institute, fails to acknowledge that funding for the research came from the “New York State of Wine” coalition, which includes large supermarket chains like Wegmans, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, and Amazon’s Whole Foods.

 

The groups said selling wine in supermarkets puts nearly 200 MPSA-affiliated small business liquor stores in The Bronx at risk of significant loss of business or even permanent closure. We’ve reached out to the Siena College Research Institute for comment on the allegation that the poll was funded by the “New York State of Wine” coalition. We were unsuccessful in trying to connect with New York State of Wine coalition.

 

Meanwhile, the group, Save NY Wine, also oppose the sale of wine in supermarkets and make the reasons why known on their website: https://savenywine.com/.

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“I think they should sell wine in big supermarkets like Shop Rite, big named, brand supermarkets. I don’t see why not, no. Just don’t sell it to minors, yeah.”

Jersey Brown, 

The Hub, visiting Kingsbridge

 

“I don’t think they should do it. I think supermarkets have enough things to sell besides wine and stuff. I think if they did that, they would be putting the small businesses that sell wine, and who rely on those sales, out of business. It’s not a good law. I don’t think supermarkets should sell it at all.”

Richard Buhler, 

Kingsbridge

 

“I think it’s okay if they make sure they ID the person, because I think there would be more access to it [wine], and there would be more risk of addiction by having more access to it. But I guess if they regulate it, if they see someone show up too many times, they could decline the sale.”

Ash Velez, 

Parkchester, visiting University Heights

 

“At first, I thought it would be a good idea when it was brought to my attention, then, maybe it’s not that good of an idea because the wine stores, the liquor stores would go out of business. So, I’m against bodegas selling any kind of liquor.”

Steven Casey, 

Parkchester visiting Pelham Parkway

“I think this would be more convenient for many people and it would give people more choices.”

Annie Lee, 

Queens, NY

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.