Should Kentucky grocery stores sell liquor & wine? Lawmakers weigh pros and cons

FRANKFORT, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Should Kentucky allow its grocery stores to sell wine and liquor? Lawmakers began discussing the possibility as they look toward the 2025 session. There are 19 states across the US that allow its grocery stores to stock their shelves with both wine and spirits in addition to beer. Over time Kentucky law has allowed for alcohol sales that are a bit more non-traditional.

“You want to get flowers and champagne delivered to your loved one? Go for it. You can do that,” Shannon Stiglitz, senior vice president for the Kentucky Retail Federation said. “A hair salon, and you had a glass of champagne you enjoyed. Maybe they sell it by a bottle. You can do that. And the question becomes, why can you do that,” Stiglitz asked lawmakers Wednesday.

Stiglitz argued grocery sales would drive competition between stores thus lowering prices for customers. The 2025 session in Frankfort is still months away but this meeting Wednesday between lawmakers was meant to start the conversation and explore both the possibilities and concerns.

“They interviewed these kids, and the one kid said the easiest place to steal from the grocery store because nobody pays attention to me,” Murray liquor store owner Brian Edwards said, referring to how Washington state rolled out a change to its liquor sales law.

Edwards made the argument that ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,’ and said the system Kentucky has now both works and meets consumer demand. He also stressed that employees in smaller stores can keep a better eye on customers and lower the odds of liquor getting into the hands of minors.

West Kentucky Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray) shared concerns over a possible “Walmart effect” in small communities that could result in independent liquor stores shutting their doors. He questioned if it was worth the convenience.

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“Is there some sort of difficulty where we need to address this ability to access the front door of a liquor store,” Howell asked jokingly.

Other lawmakers, like Sen. Reggie Thomas (D-Lexington), noted that Kentucky pharmacies have historically allowed liquor sales and didn’t think it made much sense to prohibit grocery stores from doing the same.

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