State lawmakers in New York indicated Wednesday that the legislative session is likely to conclude without approving a bill permitting grocery stores to sell wine, though efforts continue to modernize other aspects of state liquor laws to benefit restaurants and small businesses.
Empire Merchants, a leading alcohol distributor in New York, withdrew its opposition to legislation allowing restaurants and taverns to purchase up to six bottles of liquor weekly from local retailers between wholesale shipments. This change came after lawmakers amended the bill late last week to include stricter reporting requirements.
Assembly sponsor Al Stirpe described the retail-to-retail sales proposal as “probably the only thing still left that’s breathing right now” in the push to update the state’s Alcohol and Beverage Control laws. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure Thursday, with the Assembly concluding its session Tuesday.
However, the more ambitious proposal to grant supermarkets licenses to sell wine, beer, and cider remains unresolved. Lawmakers, including Stirpe and state Senator James Skoufis—both key figures in liquor policy reform—agree that the bill needs further refinement. While legal in 40 other states, concerns persist that allowing grocery wine sales without sufficient safeguards could jeopardize small, family-owned liquor stores.
Despite recent amendments allowing liquor stores to sell snacks, tobacco, and drink mixers, Stirpe argued that these changes do not sufficiently protect local businesses. He also noted a 15% decline in distilled spirits sales in New York, attributing part of the drop to increased cannabis use.
Lawmakers confirmed that Governor Kathy Hochul has considered including grocery wine sales in her executive budget but has yet to formalize this in her proposed spending plan.
New York’s principal alcohol distributors have long resisted modifications to the state’s beverage control regulations, many of which date back to Prohibition. However, Empire Merchants’ recent withdrawal of opposition signals potential momentum for the retail-to-retail bill, which aims to ease restrictions on emergency liquor purchases by restaurants and bars.
The original proposal allowed up to 12 bottles weekly, but lawmakers reduced this to six bottles, emphasizing accountability through enhanced reporting rules. Skoufis expressed hope that these guardrails will facilitate final legislative approval.
Opposition from other distributors, such as Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, remains firm, yet lawmakers are optimistic that the bill can clear the Assembly for the first time.
“We should put some guardrails on it, legalize it, and let everybody move on,” Stirpe said.
With a backlog of hundreds of bills remaining as the legislative session nears its end, lawmakers remain cautiously optimistic that the retail-to-retail legislation will reach Governor Hochul’s desk this year.
Skoufis highlighted the balance the bill strikes: respecting the three-tier system of producer, distributor, and retailer, while granting necessary flexibility to restaurants and bars facing supply shortages.
Separate legislation to allow liquor store owners to hold multiple retail licenses is not expected to pass this session.
The State Liquor Authority declined to comment on the pending legislation.
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