Jeff Saunders is president of the Retailers Alliance, which represents wine & spirits stores all over New York state. He is retired as owner of McCabes Wine & Spirits in New York City, where he lives.

Recently, New York legislators have been on a misguided crusade to weaken the laws that govern the alcohol beverage industry in New York, sparking debate between policymakers and eliciting strong opposition from small, community businesses throughout the state. The latest proposal attempts to resurrect the concept of wine in grocery stores, an idea that has been repeatedly rejected over the past decade.

The new bill, introduced by Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, has traditionally been met with opposition from stakeholders across the state. Public safety professionals, public health experts, neighborhood businesses and others have traditionally opposed the idea for valid reasons. Legalizing the sale of wine in grocery stores would devastate countless family-owned businesses, assist Amazon/ Whole Foods and other multi-billion dollar corporations in dominating the beverage alcohol industry and endanger public health.

One of the most significant concerns surrounding this proposal is its adverse impact on our small, community businesses. Fundamentally, legislators should not pass laws that undermine the well-being of the community they govern. Local liquor stores, often family-owned establishments deeply rooted in their communities, will face an uphill battle against the convenience and sheer market power of grocery store giants. The livelihoods of hardworking entrepreneurs will be threatened, and the unique character of our neighborhoods will be eroded as small businesses are forced to shut their doors and vacancies pervade our towns.

A recently-leaked 2020 document from Amazon revealed a secret lobbying campaign to unlock the alcohol market. Amazon plans to lobby for significant structural changes in alcohol legislation to be able to sell wine in their grocery stores. The document also outlines Amazon’s wish to compete directly with alcohol wholesalers and packaging stores. Most wholesalers would be unable to compete with Amazon’s scale and efficiency, eventually leading them to go out of business. By letting Amazon sell wine in their grocery stores, we are letting them corner and dominate another industry.

While Amazon’s position on the topic of wine in grocery stores may be more covert, it is Wegmans that is openly championing the bill. Wegmans, a regional supermarket chain with a strong presence in New York, has been actively lobbying for the legalization of wine sales in grocery stores. The chain has consistently demonstrated its strong aspiration to enter New York’s alcohol market, sometimes resorting to illegal tactics in pursuit of this goal. While allowing Wegmans to sell alcohol in their stores may seem harmless and even positive in terms of convenience when it comes to adult products, it is essential to remember that convenience should never supersede other critical priorities.

The passing of this law would place public health and safety in significant jeopardy. Enacting laws that permit the sale of wine in grocery stores facilitates greater

accessibility of alcohol, which can lead to several issues. Increased rates of violence and obesity are also expected to occur in areas where alcohol is more accessible, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the past decade, alcohol-related death rates among women have risen by 85% in New York. Given the potential consequences on public health, legislators must prioritize the well-being and safety of our communities over short-term convenience.

The proposal to legalize wine sales in New York grocery stores must be met with strong opposition and careful consideration of its potential repercussions. New York cannot ignore the devastating impact on small, community businesses, the monopolization of the wine industry by Amazon through Whole Foods, and the alarming increase in underage drinking rates and associated health risks. Our legislators have a responsibility to protect the fabric of our communities by prohibiting wine from being sold in grocery stores.

Opposing view: Come on, Albany. Let NY grocery stores sell wine (Editorial Board Opinion)