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LIQUOR STORE


A liquor store is a type of convenience store which specializes in the sale of alcoholic beverages, especially in regions (e.g., the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) where the regulations concerning alcohol are particularly strict and supermarkets are not permitted to distribute it.

In some parts of the US, (especially New England), a liquor store is called a package store or "packie" for short. In alcoholic beverage control (ABC) states, package stores often sell only distilled spirits or sometimes sell distilled spirits and wine but not beer. ABC-run package stores may be called ABC stores. The term "package" derives from the fact that following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, a political compromise was reached with leaders of the temperance movement whereby containers of alcoholic beverages could not legally be carried in public uncovered from view. Thus, stores that sold alcohol for consumption elsewhere wrapped or "packaged" them for their customers' convenience.

Contents

List of regions in which sale of alcohol is restricted to dedicated liquor stores

(Conditions and exceptions noted.)

Oceania

  • Australia - Beer, wine, and liquor must be purchased at dedicated bottle shops. These may be a separate section of a supermarket or an individual store. In some states hotels and pubs may also sell liquor for off-site consumption.
  • New Zealand - Supermarkets and convenience stores may sell beer and wine only. Liquor must be purchased at dedicated bottle shops.

Nordic countries

Note: All the countries (except Denmark) have government-owned alcohol monopolies
  • Finland - Wineries may sell wine and grocery stores may sell beer less than 4.7% ABV, all other alcohol must be purchased in the Alko store.
  • Iceland - Can only be bought at Vínbúð stores.
  • Norway - Alcoholic beverages above 4,8% ABV can only be bought at Vinmonopolet stores
  • Sweden - Grocery stores may sell beer less than 3.5% ABV, all other alcohol must be purchased in the state-run Systembolaget stores.

United States

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The majority of the states in the U.S. have laws which specify which alcoholic beverages must be sold in specialty liquor stores, and which can be sold in other venues. In some states, the specialty liquor stores are run exclusively by the state government.

  • Arizona - Supermarkets sell liquor, beer, and wine. No sales are allowed between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., or between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.
  • California - Liquor is available in supermarkets, most convenience stores, and privately-run liquor stores, most which also sell non-liquor items and also run as convenience stores. No sales are allowed between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m..
  • Colorado - Beer over 3.2% and all other forms of liquor must be purchased in dedicated liquor stores, which must close by midnight six days and week and must be closed for all of Sunday.
  • Connecticut - Supermarkets and convenience stores can sell beer and other malt beverages (Smirnoff Ice, etc.) Wine and hard liquor can only be sold in dedicated package (liquor) stores. All alcohol sales are prohibited after 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays (except for on-site consumption in restaurants and bars.)
  • District of Columbia - Convenience stores (but not supermarkets over a certain square footage) may sell beer and wine seven days a week. Liquor may only be sold at dedicated private liquor stores which must close on Sundays. All sales must stop at 10:00 p.m..
  • Florida - Supermarkets and convenience stores may sell beer, wine, and some liqueurs, hard liquor must be bought in a dedicated liquor store. All operate seven days a week. Sale of liquor above 153 proof prohibited by law.
  • Georgia - Supermarkets and convenience stores sell beer and wine, while liquor must be purchased at dedicated private liquor stores. No alcohol may be sold on Sundays (with the exception of some restaurants). In some counties, alcohol may not be served along with girl shows, including Bibb County (Macon, GA).
  • Hawaii - Supermarkets and convenience stores sell at all stores everyday until 11pm.
  • Idaho - Hard liquor must be purchased at state liquor stores.
  • Indiana - Liquor, beer, and wine may all be sold in supermarkets. Cold beer may only be sold in liquor stores and drug stores. No carryout sales on Sunday (dine in permitted at bars and restaurants).
  • Kansas - Supermarkets and convenience stores in KS may sell only beer with less than 3.2% alcohol. Any other alcohol must be sold at a dedicated liquor store. Sales on Sunday are decided by the individual municipalities.
  • Massachusetts - Hard liquor, wine and beer may be purchased at dedicated liquor stores or at some grocery stores[1]
  • Minnesota - Beer over 3.2% alcohol, wine, and hard liquor can only be purchased in private or municipal liquor stores (and a very small number of drug and grocery stores). Some municipalities have monopolies on liquor sales.
  • Montana - Hard liquor and fortified wine can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores.
  • Nebraska - Beer, wine, and liquor are available in supermarkets and privately-run liquor stores which also sell non-liquor items and often run as convenience stores.
  • Nevada - All Alcohol can be purchased in various supermarkets and convenience stores all day, everyday, as well as hotels, restaurants, and drive thru liquor stores exist in Nevada.
  • New Hampshire - Supermarkets and convenience stores may sell beer and wine. Hard liquor may only be purchased at New Hampshire State Liquor Commission (NHSLC)-run stores.
  • New Jersey - Only dedicated liquor stores may sell alcoholic beverages of any kind. Individual municipalities may issue one off-premise liquor licence for every 7500 inhabitants or may ban the sale of alcohol altogether.
  • New York - Supermarkets in NY may sell some alcohol, such as beer, or cooking wine with less than 5% alcohol. Hard liquor and wine must be purchased in a dedicated liquor store.
  • North Carolina - Hard liquor and fortified wines can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores. Wine and beer are available at grocery and convenience stores.[2]
  • Ohio - Only state-run liquor stores can sell alcoholic beverages over 42 proof (21% alcohol by volume).
  • Oklahoma - Supermarkets and convenience stores in OK may sell only beer with less than 3.2% alcohol. Any other alcohol must be sold at a dedicated liquor store at room temperature.
  • Oregon - Beer and Wine may be sold in Supermarkets. Hard liquor only sold in state-run or state contract stores.
  • Pennsylvania - Only the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board-run Wine & Spirits Shoppes may sell hard liquor or wine (although wineries may sell their own products to consumers). Beer may only be purchased from beer distributors (by the case or keg) or in bars/restaurants (by the six-pack).
  • South Carolina - No alcohol may be sold on Sundays, unless a special permit is purchased by the vendor. Beer may not have more than 6% alcohol. Beverages of over 16% alcohol by content must be sold at liquor stores, and such may not sell beer. No alcohol may be sold, unless a special licence has been sold, between 12 midnight on Saturday night and sunrise Monday morning. No bars or liquor stores are permitted within 300-500 feet (depending on municipality) of a church, school, or playground. Liquor stores may not open before 9 a.m. and must close before 7 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, and may not open on Sundays.
  • Tennessee - No alcohol sales on Sundays, except beer after noon. Monday through Saturday beer may be purchased until 3 a.m., liquor and wine until midnight. Beer can be sold by any licensed retailer. Liquor and wine can only be sold in licensed liquor stores, which cannot stock beer. It is common to see stores circumvening this law by having one cash register strictly for beer purchases and another for liquor and wine (usually with a partition of some sort separating beer from liquor/wine).
  • Texas - No Liquor Sales on Sundays. No wine or beer sales on Sundays before Noon unless accompanied by sale of food. Liquor stores may only open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Beer sales allowed only before midnight, except in restaurants and bars (2 a.m.). Liquor stores must close on Christmas and New Year's Day.
  • Utah - Beer over 3.2% alcohol, wine, and hard liquor can only be purchased in state-owned liquor stores. State liquor stores are closed on Sundays.
  • Vermont - Supermarkets and convenience stores may sell beer and wine. Hard liquor must be purchased in state contracted liquor agencies. These agencies are typically located in private stores, with the liquor section separated and a dedicated cash register provided by the Vermont Department of Liquor Control (DLC).
  • Virginia - Beer, wine, and malt liquor may be sold in supermarkets seven days a week until midnight, but hard liquor is sold in state-operated stores that are open either six or seven days a week. Stores in Northern Virginia and the South Hampton Roads cities of Virginia Beach and Norfolk are open on Sundays; all others are closed.
  • Washington - Beer and wine may be purchased at supermarkets and convenience stores, but hard liquor can only be purchased in a state-run or state-contract liquor store. Hours of operation for each store is set by the store manager, but all liquor stores must be closed by 10 p.m.. Historically, all stores were closed on Sundays, but in 2005, Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill into law allowing select liquor stores to open on Sundays, most of which open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Some contract stores (typically stores that are in more urban areas such as Seattle and Spokane) have chosen to open on Sundays.

Canada

Note: All provinces except Alberta have government-owned retail liquor monopolies. British Columbia has both private and government-owned retail liquor outlets.
  • Alberta - Only liquor stores may sell alcoholic beverages in urban areas, but unlike other provinces they are all privately owned and operated. Recently the province has allowed supermarkets to open attached liquor stores, but with separate entrances. In areas without another liquor retailer within a 15 km radius, any licensed retailer may sell beer, wine, and liquor, including convenience stores, general stores, and gasoline (petrol) stations. The AGLC has retained its monopoly over the wholesaling of imported beer, wine and distilled spirits, although the distribution of these products is done by a private contractor.
  • British Columbia - Only stores owned by pubs and in the same jurisdiction, government owned stores, and rural government appointed liquor agencies may sell beer, wine, and liquor. There are also VQA wine stores which are privately owned and sell only BC wines that have the VQA designation. Also, there are a limited number of private wine shops which can sell both BC and non BC wines.
  • Manitoba - Only hotels may sell beer. Beer, Wine, and Liquor only sold by government owned Liquor Marts. There are also a limited number of private wine retailers in Manitoba as well.
  • New Brunswick - Only government owned liquor stores or rural government appointed liquor agencies may sell beer, wine, and liquor.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador - Convenience Stores may sell beer that is brewed locally. Wine, liquor and imported beer is only sold by government owned liquor stores, or rural government appointed liquor agencies.
  • Nova Scotia - In the past, only the provincially-owned NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) could sell liquor products, including hard liquor, wine, and beer. Many NSLC locations are connected to grocery stores. Over the past five years, the Nova Scotia government has been slowly privatising the liquor industry, allowing a limited number of private stores to operate primarily in more urban areas.
  • Ontario - Predominantly foreign owned and operated Brewers Retail Inc. (operating as The Beer Store) is the only privately owned entity that can sell beer. Only the provincially-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) may sell hard liquor or wine, though it also sells beer, particularly in small markets that Brewers Retail does not serve. The only exceptions are Brewers and wineries are permitted to sell their own products on the site that the products were made.
  • Prince Edward Island - Only government owned liquor stores may sell beer, wine, and liquor.
  • Quebec - Only the provincially-owned Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) may sell hard liquor. Wine (that is bottled in Quebec) and beer (that is brewed in Quebec or imported beer that is distributed by a local brewer) can be purchased at dépanneurs (corner stores) and supermarkets.
  • Saskatchewan - Only government owned stores, rural private government liquor agencies (private contractors), and hotels may sell beer, wine and liquor.

References

  1. ^ Emery, C. Eugene Jr., "Ballot question on grocery-store wine sales debated" by C. Eugene Emery, Jr., The Providence Journal, August 11, 2006, retrieved August 24, 2006
  2. ^ NC Gen. Stat. ch 18B S 800