A small business mans prospective on wine in grocery stores

A small business mans take on wine in grocery stores.

Our wonderful state of Tennessee is broke and our legislature is looking for a quick fix to our economic woes. (Of course over spending is never an issue) The state Senator from my city Murfreesboro, TN Senator Bill Ketron-R has gone to great lengths to push several bills under the false pretense that selling wine in grocery and convenience stores will solve part of our states growing economic problems. They claim that the tax revenue will flow from the heavens due to increased sales of wine and the tax revenue generated.

As you may know I am a small retailer of wine and liquor located in Murfreesboro, Tn. We are a small city of around sixty thousand residents and home to a mid level state college. I have owned my own small business for nine years and have serviced many customers for all of their wine and spirits needs.

It is my opinion that everyone of legal age that has wanted a bottle of wine has been able to buy one in our state, thus wine in grocery and convenience stores will not increase the amount of drinkers of alchohol. I have seen this theory proven time and time again. Every time a new wine store opens all it accomplishes is to divide the exsiting customer base, I am living proof of this theory as more stores have opened in the same general area of my store over the past several years. (Our esteemed city council supports unlimited wine and liquor store growth within Murfressboro city. This is another sore subject for a later time)

Of course Senator Ketron has had overwhelming support from the well financed grocers association because they are hungry for another untapped profit center. The grocery chains could care less wether they are selling diapers or wine as long as the bottom line and profits are supported.

We as wine retailers are few of the last truly small independent businesses allowed. We support lots of families and charities in local communities throughout Tennessee, most of our money is spent throughout our communities and not sent to a huge out of state corporate office to be spent where the major stockholders see fit. We really do care about the products we sell and we strive to give the highest level of customer service and ethics to our community.

If this issue happens to come to a referendum I urge you to please VOTE NO for wine in grocery and convenience stores. It may appear good for the initial tax revenue but it is bad when small businesses are driven out because half of their sales are taken away by major chain stores.

Thank you for your time.
If you like what we do please tell your friends.

Until next time, drink more wine.

Tim Miles - Premium Wines & Spirits
"Explaining the Miles of Wine"
www.chillwineandliquor.blogspot.com