Voting Yes on 1
Coming this November is a very important question on the Massachusetts ballot—so important that it’s Question 1, the Wine at Food Stores Initiative. In Massachusetts like many other states, package stores, i.e., liquor stores, have a near monopoly on wine sales due to arcane state laws limiting the number of liquor licenses statewide. Grocery store chains like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Shaw’s are only able to sell booze at three locations across the entire state, which means that it’s horribly inconvenient and expensive for many people to get the tipple they desire. I live less than a block away from two major supermarkets, yet I have to walk much farther in order to get to a couple package stores just to pick up a bottle of wine. If I want to really save money and pick up Two Buck Chuck, it’s more like a fifteen minute walk each way. It’s incredibly annoying, and I’ve definitely noticed higher prices on liquor (I haven’t compared wine or beer) compared to the Back Bay Shaw’s (one of the lucky few with a pretty good booze selection), to which I unfortunately no longer live near.
Admittedly, I hate supporting the big guy, as it just seems wrong to be creating more Wal-Marts in this world. Who actually wants to cheer Goliath over David? However, as a consumer, I really just want more choice and more convenience. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to buy wine at a grocery store? Is there truly any logical reason to outlaw this? As far as I’m concerned, this needs to change.
I’m voting yes, are you?
