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Wine in Grocery Stores Back a Third Time-Sky Arnold
The effort to bring wine to grocery stores in Tennessee is back a third time and supporters say it has a better chance to pass.
That's because of a new report that shows the change could bring in $20 million a year.
Jason Springer with the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association says that revenue will provide motivation for lawmakers to pass the change.
So will the 6,000 emails his group has helped convince supporters to send.
"There's definitely a consumer demand for this product in retail food stores so I believe the legislature they're going to take action," said Springer.
Mike Farona is one of those supporters who's considering e-mailing lawmakers.
"I stopped at the wine store first, now I'm stopping here to get the groceries It sure would be a heck of a lot easier if it were all in one place," said Farona.
Still opponents say that convenience comes with a cost.
"Wine in grocery stores would put many small businesses out of work in Tennessee," said Billie Joyce.
Joyce manages J. Barleycorns in South Nashville. Her store's owner has been a leader in the fight against changing the liquor laws.
She worries the change would cost jobs and she questions whether that $20 million revenue number is accurate.
"I also don't believe the state is gonna make a whole pile of money past the initial investment that doesn't mean more people are going to drink wine," said Joyce.Wine in Grocery Stores Back a Third Time-Sky Arnold
Posted: Wednesday, February 3 2010, 09:19 PM CST
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