ND0615113

Title: Residents Support Wine Sales in N.Y. Supermarkets

Description: However, the issue is not on tap for the Legislature to consider in the waning days of its session.

Page Content:

ALBANY, N.Y. ? Despite growing public support for allowing convenience and grocery stores to sell wine, the New York Legislature continues to push the issue to the back of the pack, the Democrat and Chronicle reports.

A new poll this week from the Siena College Research Institute showed 59 percent of respondents were in favor of letting supermarkets stock wine, while only 36 were against it. Current law bans the sale of wine in grocery stores.

More people support changing the law this year than in April 2010, a small gain, but one that nevertheless seems to indicate increasing interest in buying wine from grocery stores. But with the Legislature adjourning next Monday, a vote on the issue will probably be held until the next session.

?The only demographic groups that don't support this are conservatives and African-Americans,? said Steven Greenberg with the Siena College Research Institute. ?There's been intense lobbying on both sides on this issue and lawmakers clearly are listening to something besides public opinion.?

The independent liquor store lobby has been vehemently opposed to changing the law. Backing the change is New Yorkers for Economic Growth and Open Markets, a group of grocery and convenience stores. Spokesman Michael Rabinowitz said the coalition would continue the fight.

?We're willing to sit down with the liquor stores to discuss how we can get this done,? he said. ?But they refuse to talk. It's a disservice to New Yorkers.?

Content Subject: Operations

Formatted Article Date: June 15, 2011

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