Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

Three generations of Mindy VanLiew's family have owned and operated Auburn Discount Liquor. 

Whether the Seminary Street liquor store lasts for a fourth generation could be affected by a proposal in the state Legislature to allow supermarkets to sell wine. 

The state's Alcoholic Beverage Control law allows wine to be sold in liquor stores, not grocery stores. New York is one of 10 states that do not allow supermarkets to sell wine. 

That would change if the legislation is approved by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has not indicated whether she supports the bill. 

Supermarkets, such as Tops and Wegmans that have stores in Auburn, support the bill that would allow them to sell wine. Wineries have also endorsed the bill because they would have another market to sell their wines. 

Liquor stores oppose the legislation. VanLiew told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV allowing grocery stores to sell wine in New York would hurt small businesses like her's because they would not be able to compete with larger supermarket chains. 

About 60% of Auburn Discount Liquor's space is dedicated to wine, according to VanLiew. If wine was available at nearby Wegmans and other supermarkets, she said it would be "devastating" to their sales. 

"That's why there would be so many closures of New York state liquor stores," VanLiew said. "They couldn't support just selling liquor. It would have a huge impact on us." 

VanLiew and the Metropolitan Package Store Association, an industry group that represents New York liquor stores, highlight what happened in Colorado after the state allowed supermarkets to sell wine. Several liquor stores , with more closures expected in the future. Sales as consumers shifted to buying wine at grocery stores. 

Based on what's happened in Colorado, VanLiew estimates that three of the six Auburn-area liquor stores would close within the first year if New York allows wine sales in grocery stores.

"It's just so hard to compete against corporate grocery chains," she said. "They have vast resources and huge buying power." 

Auburn Discount Liquor has 11 employees, all of whom are local residents. VanLiew said they provide expert knowledge and quality service to customers. 

A provision in the legislation would incentivize supermarkets to sell New York wines. Grocery stores would pay an annual fee based on their total wine sales for the year. New York wines would be excluded from the count, which would reduce the fee. 

Supporters say that language would ensure supermarkets promote and sell New York wines instead of wines from other states or countries. But opponents, like VanLiew, question whether it would be enough of an incentive for supermarkets. 

Auburn Discount Liquor sells beverages from more than 30 New York distilleries and wineries. The store has strong partnerships with wineries, VanLiew said. 

"All of this is done without financial incentives or payments to do so," she continued. "The proposal is that there would be incentives for grocery stores to sell New York-made wines and the fact that they feel that they need to do that tells you something. They know New York state wine would be minimally represented, if they were sold at all." 

VanLiew argued that liquor stores are better equipped to sell wine. State law prohibits minors from entering liquor stores unless they are with an adult. She worries there could be a higher risk of minors acquiring wine in a grocery store. 

As state legislators review the proposal, VanLiew hopes they will consider the impact on liquor stores. 

"New York state has always been a longtime supporter of small businesses and allowing grocery stores to sell wine would be a direct attack on this tradition for small businesses," she said.