New Study Claims Chain Store Wine and Beer Sales Would Increase Revenue

A study recently released by a Maryland group found approximately $100 million in new business revenue could be generated from sales of beer and wine in chain stores.

  A recent study commissioned by a statewide advocacy group found selling beer and wine in chain stores could result in significant revenue for Maryland. The study concluded that opening up wine and beer sales in chain stores, such as convenience stores and groceries, would generate $72 million in upfront licensing fees for the state. The issue of alcohol sales in chain stores became a major topic in Columbia in the summer when the husband of the president of Wegmans attempted to open a 10,000 square foot liquor store on the second floor of the new grocery store. The Howard County Beverage Board voted down that proposal after its members agreed it would violate state law and harm local businesses. Currently, Maryland is only one of four …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

AV

10:54 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Consumers should be allowed more choices regarding where they are allowed to purchase their liquid libations. Maryland alcohol distribution laws are tantamount to protectionism and cronyism. Until recently, you could not have wine shipped to your front door or have the bottle re-corked at a restaurant. Maryland legislators have been slow to keep up with consumer demands/needs and are beholden to …   more ›

What's Open, Closed in HoCo on Christmas Eve and Christmas

Need something last minute? Find out where you can still get it.

Poll Shows Marylanders Want to Be Able to Buy Alcohol in Chain Stores

Democrats and Republicans agree on this issue, according to poll results.

  A recent poll shows that a majority of Marylanders favor being able to buy beer and wine at chain stores, despite the fact it's illegal for most chain stores in the state to hold a liquor license. A poll conducted in late September by Gonzales Research found that 64 percent of Marylanders favor being able to buy beer and wine at chain stores. The issue crosses party lines. The poll found that 56 percent of Democrats and 77 percent of Republicans believe chain stores should be able to sell beer and wine. The poll was conducted for Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws (MBBWL), an advocacy group that has supported repealing laws that ban chain stores from receiving liquor licenses. Adam Borden, president of MBBWL, said Gonzales was …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

DonO

11:19 am on Friday, October 12, 2012

IN the 1960s Giant opened several "Super Giant" stores. These stores sold clothing electronics, beer & wine and groceries. They were grandfathered in when the liquor lobby convinced the legislature to make liquor sales illegal in grocery stores. That was also when they passed laws against direct shipping of alcohol to people's homes. That law was modified in the last session, and now wineries can…   more ›

Map: Groceries in Columbia

Whole Foods is entering a competitive market.

Last week's announcement that Whole Foods has signed a lease at the former Rouse building in Town Center was called, "The worst kept secret in Howard County," by Howard Hughes Vice President John DeWolf. But what isn't a secret is the competitive market it will be entering. While development is expected in downtown Columbia that will likely increase the food market, there already are 15 groceries within or close to Columbia. There's the newly opened Wegmans off of Snowden River. Across from it is a BJ's Wholesale Club. Just across the Columbia/ Elkridge border is Trader Joe's and Costco. There are three Giant's in the city, a Food Lion and the Harper's Choice Safeway. And then there's the speciality stores like Nazar Market, David's …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Wegmans Answers Readers’ Questions

Wegmans answers your questions about the new Columbia store.

  On Tuesday, Patch asked readers what they wanted to know about the new store opening in Columbia, on Wednesday, Wegmans officials took the time to answer the questions.  Is there a general trend at their stores as to what times are the least busy, or does it vary from store to store? – Julia McCready The stores are very busy on the weekends and on Mondays, said Mike Gorski, Wegman’s Maryland district manager. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the least busy said Gorski. And if you’re worried about the initial rush after opening, it should subside after about four weeks said Wendy Webster, the Columbia store manager. Will the store carry local products? Is there any unusual prepared foods? How did they specialize the Columbia store for …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Report: Giant and Safeway to Remove 'Pink Slime' Beef from Stores

Beef producers have maintained that finely textured beef, or pink slime, is safe to eat.

Joining other grocery chains, Safeway and Giant, two of Maryland's biggest grocers, announced this week that they will no longer sell "pink slime" beef, The Baltimore Sun reports. Finely textured beef, or "pink slime," is made from meat scraps that are disinfected with a microbe killer like ammonia, according to the Los Angeles Times. Beef producers aren't required to list ammonia on the food label. The product passes federal food regulations and the beef industry and grocers have said that it is safe to eat.  Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture gave schools lists of pink slime suppliers so they could choose if they wanted to buy the beef.  Wal-Mart and other grocers have also announced plans to stop selling finely textured beef…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

H.R. Pufnstuf

1:13 pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012

Allah forbid that someone make money providing low cost food to people. Also, now I assume that meat will be wasted since it won't be turned into FTB. That's a shame.   more ›