Local-area Kroger campaign hopes to convince Ky lawmakers to let grocery stores sell wine

Hundreds of people buy bottles of wine at Evergreen Liquors every week.  It’s a profitable business.  And grocery stores, like Kroger, would like a piece of that pie.

Tim McGurk, Kroger Spokesperson says, “Certainly we’re interested in the extra sales, there’s no questioning that, but the driving force really is satisfying our customers.  It is the number one requested item.  Right now for a grocery store to sell wine and spirits we have to build a separate building with a separate entrance and it’s very inconvenient for our customers to shop that way.”

So Kroger, with the food and wine coalition have started a campaign to try and convince Kentucky Lawmakers to let grocery stores sell line.  Kroger has added displays all over the stores and they’re putting flyers in shoppers’ bags.

Luke Schmidt, Food with Wine Coalition says, “A year ago we did a regular petition drive in grocery stores across the state and we generated 56 thousand signatures.  That’s a lot of signatures.  This mechanism, by going online, we believe is going to demonstrate to the legislators loud and clear that people want this law changed.”

Kentucky is one of the 15 states that does not allow customers to buy wine in grocery stores. Bill Boland, President of Evergreen Liquors says, it should stay that way.

Bill Boland, President of Evergreen Liquors says, “It’s sort of opening Pandora’s box and I think that is one of the reasons the legislature is reluctant.  It’s going to make alcohol sales as common as soft drink sales.”

But public reaction to this campaign is mixed.

Ann Lennon, Kroger Customer says, “I think it’s a good idea.  I would like it.  You wouldn’t have to make another trip.  It’s just more convenient.”

Mary-Beth Headinger, Kroger Customer, says, “I would prefer just to keep it separate and keep the liquor stores away from children and adolescents or anybody that might be tempted to do it either way.”