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News
Total Wines fights to expand into New York
US retailer Total Wines & More will fight to expand its footprint in New York through the state’s Supreme Court next month, after the New York State Liquor Authority refused to allow it to open a second site, in Westchester.
The retailer was hoping to open a large store of around 21,000 square foot warehouse store in Hartsdale, White Plains, but was refused permission in a hearing last December, apparently due to “unprecedented” opposition from an organised lobby of local wine stores and public officials, worried that Total Wines’ aggressive pricing would make it impossible for independent wine retailers in the area to compete, the Westchester Journal News reported.
It is the second time the retailer has been refused permission to expand in the New York area, after its application to open a store in Stony Brook was rejected by the state liquor board.
Total Wines will now take the case in the New York State Supreme Court in a hearing next month (10 May), according to newsite All Industry News.
Total Wines argue that the decision is anti-competitve, arguing that there is no evidence to suggest any competitor has gone out of business following the opening of one of their stores.
Total Wines & More was established iby brother Robert and David Trone, and operates around 200 stores in 25 states, including a warehouse in Westbury on Long Island, which it opened in 2017.
I have long felt that the state legislature should define precisely what constitutes “Public Convenience and Advantage,” the vague phrase used in the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which governs who new liquor stores are approved by the three-member board that heard this case. Competition and choice are good for the public right? Too many liquor stores are getting disapproved because the board sides with existing stores that claim to be struggling. In some cases – not all, by any means – the complaining stores are small, physically unappealing and lack a diversity of products. I also think the legislature should go back to the days when new liquor stores had to be a certain distance from existing stores. The distance could vary in cities or counties depending on population. That would cut down on the number of new liquor store applications being filed (currently it takes 3 weeks just to get a serial number assigned and another 4-5 months to get a hearing). It would also boost the value of existing stores. – John Springer, www.liquorlicensenewyork.com