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Publix, Walmart At Odds Over Florida Grocery, Liquor Bill
March 1, 2015
A wide-ranging alcohol measure that would allow shoppers to pick up fifths of Jack Daniel’s in the same stores where they buy groceries passed its first House test over the objection of Florida’s largest grocer.
Members of the House Business & Professions Subcommittee voted 9-4 to advance the measure (HB 107), which would remove an 80-year-old state law that requires liquor stores to be stand-alone facilities.
The bill has drawn opposition from independent liquor stores, some county sheriffs and Lakeland-based Publix. Meanwhile, support for the measure has come from retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.
Publix lobbyist Teye Reeves said the company’s business model has been to separate its liquor stores from the main grocery operations.
“At the end of the day, Wal-Mart has a very specific business model and Publix does not have the same business model, and we’re concerned that it will put us at a competitive disadvantage,” Reeves said.
But retailers that support the change say their customers are looking for increased convenience.
“A change to Florida’s outdated separation law would remove impediments, expand consumer choice, and level the playing field for all grocery retailers across the state, all while ensuring safeguards and security remain in place,” Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said in an email after the meeting.
Target lobbyist Jason Unger told the committee that the company is also looking at its business model, which includes smaller “express” locations in downtowns.
“As far as our expansion model, the separation law in Florida is a detriment,” Unger said.
The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, also would make other changes in Florida’s alcohol laws. For example, it would allow beer tasting rooms at craft breweries and end the state’s prohibition on brewers being able to fill 64-ounce “growlers” for off-site consumption as they can with other size containers.
But most of Wednesday’s discussion focused on ending the regulation that requires stand-alone liquor stores.
Opponents claim the measure could put small independent liquor stores out of business and would make alcohol more accessible to minors.
“When a minor walks into a liquor store, they stand out like a sore thumb,” said Charles Bailes, chief executive officer of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. “The barrier is necessary to keep alcohol out of the hands of teens, not because they purchase it but because they steal it.”
Steube said the measure is an effort to reduce regulations, and he disagreed with the contentions that eliminating the barrier will harm small businesses or make it easier for minors to get their hands on liquor.
“If you look at the facts and the data and the research, guess where kids get their alcohol from? Friends and families,” Steube said.
While voting for the overall bill, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, said lawmakers need to balance free-market principles with public safety.
“This is not the Berlin Wall, this wall does not need to come down,” Fitzenhagen said. “It’s much safer for our kids to have a separate entrance when they are contemplating risky behavior. And as the mother of two teenagers, I know they do.”
Steube’s measure must still go through the Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and the Regulatory Affairs Committee before it can reach the House floor. The annual legislative session starts March 3.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Comments
19 Responses to “Publix, Walmart At Odds Over Florida Grocery, Liquor Bill”
Really whats the difference here? How can anyone come up with a logical explaination to continue separating the liquor from groceries when the majority of liquor stores are right next door to the grocery store? Winn-dixie, walmart and publix all have at least one location where the two are connected. so really whats the argument here other than a sheetrock wall? Everyone gets carded unless you look well over the age so no teen is at an advantage unless they steal it. That would be considered shoplifting which is another problem.
Alicia Richards you are exactly right. I refuse to spend my money at Walmart. I may spend a little bit more on some things (not all) but it is definitely worth it to me to shop in a clean store with employees that are focused on customer service. Other than Publix, my money will be spent with local business’s.
We all know that banks and big businesses are the ones that rule our country. Take a look at what is going on in Pensacola. Do we not already have enough Walmarts. Now they have to put one right across from Publix. I guess the one that is 5 or 6 miles down the road isn’t convenient enough not to mention the one they have right there at Mobile Hwy. Do we not see that Walmart will eventually be the only choice we have? Some towns won’t even allow Walmart in because of squeezing out the small businesses. We don’t need any more Walmarts. Wan’t cheaper prices. Try your Dollar Generals. May not have everything but I’m not willing to give “Everything” to Walmart. Help by supporting our small businesses. Besides writing comments in here, let your voice be heard by those holding our government seats.
I’m all for freedom, really. But no hard drink in ssuperarkets.
Yes, teens will no doubt be trying to steal it. Besides, is it really that much of a burden to stop at a liquor store ? If i leave my home in Molino and go to Walmart on hwy 29 i pass 3 places to buy liquor. So the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Walmart made $17b in profit last year. The Walton family ownes 51% of that. The United States gave out $80b in foodstamps last year. 18% of which was spent at Walmart. I’m sorry, but i’ve got a problem with one family getting rich off the poor enabled by lawmakers. These lobbyists are just Walmart bagmen putting the cash in politician hands, nothing more. Besides, Walmart has put enough people out of business. Can we do one thing right and save the liquor stores for their purpose. LIQUOR.
Pop…did you have to marry a gay person? Oh I am so sorry.
Well said Pat McClellan.
Some like a pull of a liquor bottle, some a pull from a joint.
What’s the difference?
I will stay with Grocery Advantage.
For the people who think every law should be done away with in the name of freedom, you are just bored and that is what is going to do away with this country. Freedom is not allowing mind altering drugs in the name of “to each his own” you know that is not good for anyone nor is it good for society to have a bunch of brain dead people voting. Everyone knows pot heads are slackers and drunks are losers. Is that good? NO it isn’t but you fight for it in the name of liberty. Florida allows liquor stores but NO you can’t be happy with that, you want it in the grocery stores also, how pathetic. You just want something to fight for. Keep up that way of thinking and we will be fighting for the basic liberties that our fore fathers fault for, you spoiled brats.
Pat McClellan has made it very clear as to the affects this change would bring.
However, when you see the idiots going to Wal-Mart supposedly sober and some of the postings on U-Tube and the internet…let the idiots rule.
Flip-flops, baggy pants, Spandex sized 2 stretched over a cow sized 20, some individual dressed in whatever the drugs being taken dictate and all the rest of deviant society being displayed…and then to sell booze to these folks…? Step back and think!
Molino Jim,
When I was in Louisiana a few years ago, they had drive-through daiquiri stands all over the place. They even put the straw in the drink for you. But, for safety, they kept a piece of the paper over the free end of the straw to keep you from drinking while driving.
@Common Sense: the laws in La. may have changed since I lived there— but they have some odd laws also. True you can buy alcohol 24/7, but due to their “blue laws” you could not buy tools before noon on Sunday. Some parishes made it all day on Sunday. You can go to a drive in window and get a mixed drink (great for the driving public) if you say “I won’t drink this until I get home.”
Pat you’ve overblown it. The liquor will be not be next to the cheerios. With 30 years experience you should know that all stores have isles and areas where similar products are placed. Walmart currently has a wine section, it would be no different having a liquor section.
I’m for it, I have never been a clean, well kept liquor store that didn’t stink. So having the option to pick up a bottle while out shopping at a local retail store would be nice.
Life is all about options, you either roll with the options given or stay behind the times and in a rut.
Less laws equals more freedom
I so agree with you Pop we don’t have anything to say about they are going to do what they wont no matter what we say.
Well, the “people of Wal-Mart” pictures sound like they are going to get more entertaining.
Let’s keep pushing for better alcohol laws, though. Everyone knows there’s nothing wrong with drinking. As long as they keep that evil devil plant-marijuana illegal, Florida will continue to thrive.
Marijuana destroys families, is consumed by under age minors every day, leads to marijuanaism, kills thousands every year, and all the marijuana involved vehicle deaths and manslaughters are atrocious….oh..wait…
Just keep drinking the kool-aid, everyone, nothing to see here…
Personal responsibility. Give it a try. So sick of nanny state looking out for me….and it’s all for the chiiiiillldren, of course.
It’s not right. But look at gay marriages, it got shoved down our throats so I’m sure this will too.
It’s bad enough that you can’t buy groceries or fuel without alcohol being there. I’m not apposed to folks drinking if that’s what they want to do, but alcohol is a mind and mood altering substance, in other words, it’s a drug with no healthy benefit. It doesn’t need to sold where we buy groceries and/or fuel and small bottles certainly don’t need to be accessible for shop lifting by teens.
This is just a bad idea that no one needs.
There is no problem in the State of Louisiana where you can go anywhere , be a convenience store or grocery store, you can buy liquor. Florida is so far behind the times it is a bit embarrassing. This is not prohibition as the 1920’s. HELLO??? this is America !!!!!!! I should not have to go to the “GREEN FRONT STORE” as my uncle’s did in Alabama during the 60″s!!!!
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As a 15-year tee-totaler with over 30-years of saloon keeping experience, both on and off-sale, I can tell ya’ it just ain’t right to put “Apple Schnapps next to the Apple Sauce”, as Lobbyist John Harris would have it! Nor should any type of liquor be right out there next to the Gatorade & Cheerios!
There are enough issues out there for our youth to deal with today! When we add the additional temptation, of having liquor on grocery store shelves, they act irresponsibly! This was demonstrated in the State of Washington where the law was changed last year! When minors weren’t allowed to buy it at checkout, they’d either sneak it out (steal it) or actually drink it in the store. Often the consequences were disastrous!
There, is also, no accounting for how it has affected recovering alcoholics or those in economic distress with fixed income who might choose booze over food?!
Prohibition didn’t work! Therefore, it is Liquor License holders, like ourselves, whom by State Law mandate all of employees be trained as “Responsible Vendors” who are held accountable for the illegal consumption or sale of alcohol on our Premises!
The only “controlled substance” Supermarkets and Convenience Stores effectively monitor are purchased thru their Pharmacies!
There are numerous small businesses out there, like ourselves, that paid handsomely for a Liquor License. Its value, much like the control of alcohol, would fly right out the window with the introduction of Mass Supermarkets selling liquor!
We look to you, our Representatives, to continue to build our great State “Responsibly”!
Sincerely,
Pat McClellan
VP/PTNR
Flora-Bama Mgmt Inc. L.L.C.