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| Liquor laws could change within the state |
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| News | |||
| Written by Brandon Steinert | |||
| Friday, 05 March 2010 09:00 | |||
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County Seat Liquor owner Jack Slayman said he rests easy knowing that his only competition is other local liquor stores. That could change, depending on the future of a bill recently introduced to the Kansas Senate that would allow the sale of liquor in grocery stores throughout the state. “I’m totally against it,” the Paola businessman said. But for Mike Moon, owner of Moon’s Hometown Market in Osawatomie, a bill of this type would be a welcome sight. “It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “Kansas is one of the few states where you can’t purchase wine or spirits in a grocery store.” Senate Bill 550 wouldn’t hang liquor stores out to dry, considering the situation created by decades of laws keeping wine and spirits out of grocery stores. “Many of our laws that deal with beer, wine and liquor come out of the Prohibition era,” state Sen. Pat Apple said. He explained that liquor stores are almost all small businesses owned by one individual since only one license can be issued per person. Many of these people have invested a large portion of life savings in stores under the assumption that the only competition would be similar stores. A bill repealing these restrictions would change everything. “It’s difficult to change the rules without harming anyone,” Apple said. “For something to go forward, I think there’s going to have to be some consideration on both sides.” The senator said one precaution taken to level the playing field would be to allow liquor stores to sell other goods, such as snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, corkscrews and other items. Despite legislators’ attempts, those provisions might not satisfy liquor-store owners. “I don’t see how it could be fair,” Slayman said. “I really don’t.” Moon had other thoughts. “Do I think it will damage (liquor stores)?” he asked. “Only for those stores who don’t take the opportunity to change their business.”
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