NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Wine signs are already popping up in grocery stores, but bottles may not be on the shelves until 2017, despite grocery sales beginning this July, according to WKRN News 2.
That’s because retailers within 500 feet of existing wine stores will not be allowed to sell wine for another year unless they are able to reach an agreement.
RELATED CONTENT 78 municipalities approve wine sales in groceries
Red Dog Wine & Spirits in Franklin is next door to Publix and soon the two retailers may be selling some of the same items, but the local store’s owner, Bard Quillman, isn’t concerned.
“I’m willing to compete. I actually gave them permission right as soon as that law was passed,” said Quillman.
Several other liquor stores News 2 spoke with are still on the fence.
“My guess is from the beginning that we will lose 10 to 15 percent of the businesses, the liquor store businesses,” he said.
As a concession, the law allowed liquor retailers last year to begin selling low gravity beer and non-alcoholic items.
If a liquor store decides not to let a grocery store sell wine for the next year they will also have to stop selling those nonalcoholic items.
On the other hand, Red Dog Wine & Spirits now offers around three times the variety of beer.
“We run 20 taps, we have probably a thousand different beers in stock,” Quillman explained.
Quill man told News 2 he is prepared to take a hit with wine sales, but that he is confident that a grocery store can’t compete with his service.
“We can give you recommendations, we can provide customer service to you and we can provide a much better selection and much more variety.”
Quillman, who was also involved in the wine in grocery stores legislation, told News 2 that there is still a lot of paper work before you will be able to add wine to your grocery list, claiming that the Alcoholic Beverage Commission is still working on application forms for the grocery stores.