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I have no stake in this but do know a little bit about the industry. I like the idea but am not willing to take all the potential issues just for a little convenience. The cost of wine/beer would not be significantly altered as the distributors would still control the cost of the product. The profits would just go to the big box store and eventually lead to a shrinking of the competitive marketplace. In addition the law will allow companies to own more than 3 stores selling wine but still keep the restriction in place for liquor stores. Grocery stores can sell beer/wine now but have to limit it to only 3 stores in the state. This is the real crux of the bill.
Would it really be that much more convenient? As it is the number of cashiers at a supermarket (or HDepot etc.) have been reduced, giving rise to the self-checkout (what an f-ing joke that is!). You would still need to go to an area set aside for liquor, and then wait for a cashier to pay. I go to my local liquor store and am in and out in a few minutes. It also mirrors fishing shops, I go to the local shop because of the service and knowledge. I go to #^&#^&#^&#^&s/etc in the off chance they have something I can't get elsewhere but know not to ask for advice. I don't think I will find anyone at the grocery store to explain the difference between Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.
I don't think the tact of saying these stores will not have intelligent enough cashiers works. While there is some validity to it, if a grocery store is shutdown for a day or more due to underage selling it will hit them more than a liquor store. It would be more prudent for them to train their people as they have more to lose.
I don't believe that it will lead to a higher incident of drunkenness (liquor stores sell kegs) or drunk driving. It is a bit disingenuous given the number of establishments that sell alcohol now. Growing up in Arlington (a dry town) there was a liquor store over the line for 3 of the 4 bordering towns. People still got caught drinking and driving.
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