The most significant reason for this change is the consumers clearly want the choice, especially the people who buy wine.
For some reason, Tennessee is not one of the 33 states (and the District of Columbia) that allow wine sales in retail food stores.
Fortunately, Tennessee has changed a lot since Prohibition ended some 75 years ago. One of the few things that has not changed are liquor laws.
Wine sales in retail food stores make sense. Here are just a few reasons that come to mind:
- Tennesseans who choose to drink wine want the convenience of purchasing it at retail food stores.
- Wine sales in retail food stores would benefit consumers by increasing competition.
- Tennessee retail food stores have the nation’s strictest laws regarding proof of age. They are already required by law to check the age of everyone purchasing alcohol and undergo annual training. Read the Responsible Vendor law (PDF).
- Consumer demand – not government protection – should decide a business’ fate. Consumers are being denied choice by Tennessee’s powerful liquor lobby, which is focused on protecting its monopoly.
- Retail food stores will have the option not to sell wine if that is their choice.
- Wine is rarely a choice of underage drinkers.
- Wine sales in retail food stores are not linked to increased drunk driving.
