Bill for wine in CT grocery stores fails

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – Wine will not be sold in Connecticut grocery stores this year.

The bill that pushed to allow grocery stores to sell wine failed because of inaction. The deadline to vote on the bill has passed.

Wayne Pesce, President of the Connecticut Food Association, released a statement:

“We know an overwhelming majority of the public supports the sale of wine in supermarkets. While the votes are not there in this particular legislative committee at this time, we believe that in the future when the issue comes to a vote in the full legislature, this consumer friendly bill will pass.”

Forty-two states allow wine to be sold in grocery stores and four out of six New England states allow it.

Package store owners were fighting the bill. They said it would hurt business.

Two years ago it was proposed, and again this year.

Both times the General Law Committee didn’t vote.

A majority of the people support this, saying it’ll bring convenience.

It could come with a cost though, and potentially hurt liquor store businesses.

Rep. Dave Rutigliano (R – Trumbull) said it does seem unfair that the businesses opened up under one set of rules but those rules keep changing for liquor stores.

“I think this is a testament to the fact that the Connecticut liquor laws work. We have some of the best prices around, we have the best selection of any state in the area so the three tier system which was set up decades ago seems to work,” Rutilgiano said.

“Well, I like going to my store that I’ve been going to for years and I do my grocery shopping here. Keep it the way it is,” said Don of Rocky Hill.

“I think it would be convenient. If they can sell beer, they should be able to sell wine so a mother can do her grocery shopping and just pick up something for herself instead of getting the kids in and then getting the kids out and then going to another store,” said Swati Chaturveti of Rocky Hill.

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