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Campaign pushes for wine sales in Tennessee stores |
03.21.2008
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NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Since its launch March 5, more than 1,500 Tennesseans have joined in support of Red White and Food, a grassroots educational campaign aimed at legalizing the sale of wine in retail food stores throughout Tennessee.
Spearheaded by the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association here, the campaign pushes for legislation that would give retail food stores a license to sell wine. Currently, wine can only be sold at liquor stores in municipalities that have authorized the sale of alcoholic beverages.
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State Sen. Bill Ketron R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Randy Rinks, D-Savannah, introduced SB 3139/HB3145 at the beginning of this year's legislative session. A Senate Local Government committee hearing on the legislation is scheduled for March 25.
Jarron Springer, president of the TGCSA, said that allowing food retailers to sell wine would not only bring additional revenue to the state, but it would also increase competition and provide consumers with added convenience. Thirty-three other states allow wine sales in retail food stores, including five of the eight states that border Tennessee.
"It makes sense to buy wine and food in one location," Springer said. "Consumers benefit from convenience and competition that keeps prices down. Consumers are leaving the state so they can buy everything they need in one place."
The proposed legislation would allow wine sales only in municipalities that currently allow package sales, Springer said.
While wine cannot be sold in retail food stores in Tennessee, beer sales are legal. With 140 grocery retail members and 73 convenience store members, TGCSA has strong backing on the proposed legislation, Springer said. Among its other supporters are the Tennessee Farm Wineries, Tennessee Retail Association and The Wine Institute.
On the group's Web site, www.redwhiteandfood.com, consumers can find news and facts about the proposed bill, read blog posts and buy bumper stickers supporting the campaign.
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