Tennessee Prepares for Wine Sales in Grocery and Convenience Stores

Starting July 1, the state is loosening restrictions as to where wine can be stocked.

December 01, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Within seven months, Tennesseans in 83 cities, counties and towns will be able to pick up a bottle of wine in their local grocery or convenience store, the Times Free Press reports. The new regulations governing the sale of wine go into effect July 1.

Voters in those areas approved the change, which the state legislature authorized to put before residents in 2014. Right now, there’s no good estimate on how many grocery and convenience stores will add wine to their shelves. “From what we have been told—and it fluctuates—we're looking at an initial onslaught of applicants of 150-350, but I'm sure there will be others,” said Keith Bell, executive director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Food-store wine license applications will be accepted beginning January 1.

“Food retailers are looking forward to becoming wine retailers where allowed to,” said Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association.

This change in where wine can be sold has been the biggest adjustment to the state’s alcoholic beverage laws since Tennessee repealed Prohibition in 1939. The new regulations are the result of numerous failed attempts.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement