To the Editor:
Once again, the New York state Legislature will be considering a bill that will allow the sale of wine in grocery stores, and once again this small business-killing bill will be co-sponsored by our local Assembly person Pam Hunter. When engaged on the subject personally, Hunter cites the fact that “40 other states” do it, and that “many of my constituents” want the convenience of that one-stop shopping. Both are true, but that’s hardly a rationale for upending a small business industry that provides many families and individuals the opportunity to be individual entrepreneurs. On that subject, Hunter was silent.
Wegmans is the tip of the spear of this movement, one that will negatively impact small wine store owners and their employees, the property owners of these stores and the wine production industry in New York. We’re assured that only wine will be allowed, that these small businesses can still sell spirits, but the margins on spirits are small. We’re assured that it will be better for wine sales writ large, since once people get introduced to Wegmans Pinot Grigio, they’ll move up to better wines that the smaller stores (that will no longer exist) will provide.
Every politician will say they support small businesses, “the engine of our economy,” yet somehow it is inevitably the large businesses that get the bulk of government consideration and legislative concessions. Over the decades we’ve lost the local production and sale of bread and meat products — small businesses — because of the “convenience” of large grocery stores. I hope we don’t let another segment of small business be purposely destroyed, at the behest of large chain grocery stores that are doing quite well, thank you.
Incidentally, I have no personal business interest in the wine and liquor industry, other than to enjoy their products and appreciate being informed and guided in my purchases by knowledgeable proprietors and their staff.
David Thomas
DeWitt
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