Ashland — Grocers make a point of knowing what their customers want to buy and are hoping state lawmakers will help them respond to people who want a glass of wine with their dinner.
“The grocery industry decided it is time to push this forward,” said Luke Schmidt, a spokesman for the Food With Wine Coalition. The coalition is a nonprofit agency formed by Kentucky’s grocers to seek a change in state law allowing grocery stores to sell wine, instead of limiting wine to the shelves of liquor stores.
“There are three reasons why this is compelling,” he said, explaining the idea would benefit consumers and promote competition, increase state tax revenues without enacting any new taxes, and lend support to Kentucky’s emerging wine industry as well as farmers who’ve switched from tobacco to grapes as an alternate cash crop.
State legislators weren’t able to discuss the proposal during their most recent short session in Frankfort, Schmidt said, although they are expected to study the idea in January.
In the meantime, the state’s grocers are urging consumers to let their state representatives know what they want. Store displays will guide wine lovers to a Web site where they are asked to take roughly 30 seconds to complete a petition and generate a letter to the appropriate elected officials.
“We’ve only been promoting it for about two weeks and it has already generated several thousand letters,” Schmidt said.
The coalition proposal would not have any effect on “dry” counties, Schmidt stressed, and would leave the sale of wine at grocery stores in the hands of store managers and owners.
“This does not mandate they sell wine. This is not a mandatory thing at all,” he said. “But we believe most will want to supply their customers with what they have been asking for.”
The coalition has provided information about the effort to Ashland area grocery stores, including Kroger, with displays that ask, “Where’s the wine?” and detailed information at checkout counters.
The idea does have some enemies, Schmidt said.
“The only opposition we know of is from liquor stores. They’ll tell you we are going to put them out of business,” Schmidt said, adding the proposal “is not a prelude to distilled spirits in grocery stores.”
Schmidt asks consumers who support the sale of wine at grocery stores to visit foodwithwine.org and click on the “Sign the Petition” link. The coalition is also represented on social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
Local News
Grocers seek wine option
Spokesman: State lawmakers are expected to take up issue next year
- Local News
-
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Keeping her finger on the pulse
Jessica Pal sat down at the family computer in the dining room on Jan. 13 and started clicking through data sets.
-
90-plus recommendations, highlighted by staffing, false alarms, overtime for fire department
Financially, “The status quo is just not sustainable,” for the Ashland Fire Department, according to Tim McGrath, a consultant that recently evaluated the department for the city.
-
Rowan teachers picked for NASA flight
Two science teachers at Rowan County High School have earned berths on a high-altitude NASA research flight sometime next year.
-
Helgason’s art, poetry to be shown at The Upstairs Gallery
The figure paintings of Ironton artist Linda Helgason will be displayed at The Upstairs Gallery starting with today’s First Friday art walk.
-
Spring film fest begins
The Spring International Film Festival begins today at the Keith-Albee Theater.
-
Art as therapy
Natural gems, each with its unique look, inspires the work on Amy Litteral, owner of Moxie Jewelry Designs which is headquartered at the Pendleton Art Center.
-
Blazer students' work displayed at 1414 Gallery
When the question was posed, “Why do you do what you do?,” art students at Paul G. Blazer High School had the answer and have shared it in an exhibit that opens on First Friday at The 1414 Gallery at TSHD Architects.
-
Local briefs: 2/3/12
The Housing Authority of Ashland has closed its waiting list for apartments until further notice.
-
Blazer, Russell, West Carter earn district Cup honors
Northeastern Kentucky high schools in three districts had their opening Governor’s Cup tournaments on Saturday, with West Carter, Paul G. Blazer and Russell taking first place.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
Official: 2nd Teacher Pulled From Calif. School
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
