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As of February 14, 2024, there are 223 that have separate full strength beer, wine and spirits stores. They have the same hours of operation; the same age restrictions; the same liquor license fees as private and municipal liquor stores do. If connected to the main store, they also must have a separate entrance and separate checkout from the grocery store - or what is known as the 3- door (common vestibule with separate entrances to the liquor store and main store.)
The growing list of 223 big-box, grocery and convenience owned liquor stores listed below represent over 200% in- crease in just the last 17 years. It is undeniable proof that we can all be in business together with no new laws and a strong “three-tier” system of manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
These liquor stores have proved that no new laws are needed that would greatly increase the number of outlets for alco- hol in Minnesota. MLBA fully supports these liquor opera- tions. Several of these liquor stores are MLBA members taking advantage of what MLBA has to offer like alcohol server training, insurance discounts, labor law poster compliance, music licensing discounts and many more!
Minnesota businesses work to fill increased demand for non-alcoholic beverages, November 29, 2022, MinnPost and Twin Cities Business
More and more people are seeking out non-alcoholic drinks, and they’re asking for better, more robust options. A few Minnesota businesses are answering the call.
In Minnesota, breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries say they’re refining their offerings to meet the demand for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
“People who are regular drinkers want to have healthier options. They want those same flavors and perceptions that fully alcoholic fermented beverages have – they just don’t want the ethanol part,” he said.
No and low alcohol drinks category continues to grow, reaching US$10billion in value, January 20, 2022, The Drinks Business.
“The IWSR forecasts that no- and low-alcohol volume will grow by 8% CAGR between 2021 and 2025, compared to regular alcohol volume growth of 0.7% CAGR during that same period.
“While January has become a popular month for people to cut back or abstain from alcohol, interest in no- and low-alcohol drinks has increasingly become a year-round trend among consumers across the world,” says Emily Neill, COO of IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.
“To meet that demand, beverage alcohol companies have invested heavily to introduce a number of innovative new products, and many established mainstream brands have recently crossed over to develop no/low alcohol versions of their popular beer, wines, and spirits.”
Indeed, well-established brands are joining the fold, creating alcohol-free alternatives to their popular offerings. The latest to tap into the trend is Italian company Martini and Rossi.
With 58% globally drinking more non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails than a year ago, according to the 2022 Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, demand for premium NoLo options are expected to continue growing.”
Massachusetts: Researchers - More beer outlets means more violence, February 10, 2020. Taunton Daily Gazette/State House News Service
Kayla Vodka, also from the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition, said she fears passage of the question <to allow liquor sales in convenience stores> could carry an "enormous public health cost" because of its potential to increase crime and underage drinking.
Beer sales increase in Colorado, but liquor stores say grocery stores are stealing customers 9NEWS Denver, January 1, 2020
"It’s not local liquor stores. Its local small businesses. If you take the local small business out of the equation, all you have is big business," said George Gatchis of Capitol Hill Liquors. "They have the convenience of going grocery shopping and being able to buy beer at the same time."
"We’ve lost about 30, 35% of our business. We’re down in sales about that much," said Gatchis. "You let the genie out of the bottle. It’s never going back.”
Corner store booze a bad idea: CAMH paper, Toronto Sun, September 30, 2019
“A new study that looks at the impact of drinking recommends the Ontario government abandon plans to extend alcohol sales to convenience stores.
“We’ve seen time and time again in many jurisdictions around the world that these actions result in increase in harm… such as motor vehicle collisions, assaults, violent crime, hospitalization, increases in health problems, as well,” she said. “So there’s a range of consequences to making alcohol more available like this.”
In Response: Local liquor retailers provide choice, value on Sundays, Opinion Piece by Tony Chesak, executive director, Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. Duluth News Tribune, March 13, 2019
“Minnesota's smart and balanced alcohol regulations are working — and are pro-consumer. Prices in Minnesota are lower than the national average, and we have unprecedented choices and selection. Our craft beer, wine, and spirits scenes are booming. Consumers have access to alcohol, and choices, seven days a week. Importantly, compared to other states, we enjoy significantly lower-than-average rates of alcohol-related abuse and accidents. Our system of alcohol regulations in Minnesota is working for all. Let's keep it that way.”
Colorado Retailers Face New Competition From Supermarkets After Change In State Law, Shaken News Daily, February 22, 2019
“Package store closures are a certainty, they predict. ‘We’ll see 100-200 small liquor stores go out of business within the next two years,” says Backman. And Dierking adds, “When you double the number of outlets in the state that can sell beer, they won’t all survive. People aren’t going to drink more.’”
Brewers are ready for the low-ABV revolution. But are beer drinkers?, City Pages, February 6, 2019
More evidence ABVs are trending down: From City Pages Minneapolis: "As far as the greater industry, I think there is gonna be a natural trend towards lower-ABV options," said says Matt Schwandt, Bauhaus COO and head brewer.
Bar owners ‘will have to boost low ABV options’ to attract Generation Z, The Drinks Business, February 4, 2019
“This reasoning goes a long way to explaining the success of drinks companies such as Seedlip, which produce non-alcoholic spirits that can be used as a substitute for vodka or gin. “They don’t want to be infantilised,” McConnell said. “They want to feel like they’re part of the same night out, just without the alcohol content.”
“If bars want to keep that clientele they’ll have to boost those (low ABV) options,” Johanna Gerhold, Google’s industry head, said.
Letter to the Editor: Changes to 3.2 beer laws will hurt consumers: Mankato Free Press, January 29, 2019
“The recent editorial by The Free Press, “3.2 beer: A Minnesota staple fades away,” repeats several myths regarding supermarkets and convenience stores that “have long been limited to 3.2 beer.”
Grocery and convenience stores can already sell beer, wine and liquor (in separate stores on location). As long as they follow the existing smart and balanced liquor store laws, there is no legal impediment. In fact, over 161 stores in Minnesota already do, including Cub Foods in Mankato, Hy-Vee in Mankato and Sam’s Club in Mankato.These stores — in every corner of the state, urban and rural — abide by current regulations to avoid minor access and provide consumer convenience.
Easier access to alcohol, a controlled substance, shouldn’t available to those under 21. Liquor stores typically prohibit anyone under 21 from entering the store and employ people over age 21.
Consumers currently have unprecedented product availability and choice, from 3.2 beer to craft brews, wine, and liquor. Changes in our proven system could have serious repercussions for consumers.”
Liquor stores closing due to Oklahoma's new alcohol law, KOKO5 News, January 2, 2019
"Those jobs and those businesses are not going to be replaced," said Bryan Keer, with the Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma.
Kerr said State Question 792 is already proving to hurt smaller liquor stores because Oklahomans 21 and older can buy full-strength cold beer and wine at grocery stores and convenience stores.
"When you take away half of the wine sales form the mom-and-pop stores and put them into the big-box stores, you're going to lose some stores," Kerr said.
Reality Check: The Data on Sunday Liquor Sales in Minnesota, WCCO TV, December 12, 2018
“The Minnesota Department of Revenue says only $7.2 million in tax revenue — about half of the predicted amount – was generated in the first year. But that amount was not even due to Sunday sales. In fact, alcohol tax revenues go up every year, and they haven’t changed much in the last five years. Sunday sales do not appear to have an impact…
The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, representing the state’s 900 liquor stores, opposed Sunday sales. They predicted it would spread business over seven days, and not dramatically increase revenues. Based on official numbers so far, that is just what happened.”
How Low-Alcohol Beers Became Brewing's Next Big Thing, Thrillist, November 2, 2018
UT: With 3.2 beer brands likely to disappear, lawmakers may have to act or face a ballot initiative. FOX13, July 31, 2018
The headline is deceiving because brands are NOT dropping 3.2 beer – they are just reducing skews.
"Given this reality, we are beginning a process to evaluate our 3.2% ABW beer portfolio, including considering package reductions up to 40% of those currently offered to Utah consumers. This would mean a decline from 113 packages to less than 70, and going from a range of 20 brands to 12."
Arkansas Liquor Stores See Sales Fall 5.5 Percent Since Grocery Wine Expansion; Arkansas Business, July 9, 2018
Publix Cuts Craft Space in Half in Tampa Area; Assn Calls Foul ; Tampa Bay Times, June 15, 2018
“At least 12 brewers have had merchandise reduced or completely taken off the shelves in some Publix stores across the state,” Times article notes. “They’re blatantly removing Florida craft ones and replacing them with beers purchased by these big guys,”
Session beers, which generally have less alcohol and lighter flavor, are gaining popularity, Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 15, 2018
Texas officials: Delivery apps becoming gateway for underage drinking, My States man, March 30, 2018
“Some Texas officials are calling for new legislation or permitting requirements for "digital-based companies" to head off what some view as a burgeoning public safety issue - the delivery of alcohol to underage drinkers.”
Mixed reviews as Minnesota adjusts to Sunday liquor sales/Despite customers' initial excitement, many store owners said Sunday sales have been more of a burden than a boon, Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 21, 2018