LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – It’s easy to finding beer in Kentucky grocery stores, but the sale of wine or other liquor is prohibited in grocery stores – even in counties where alcohol sales are allowed. There’s been a push to change for several years, and now that battle is being fought in cyberspace.
“It’s a win-win” said Luke Schmidt, who represents the Food With Wine Coalition, a not-for-profit organization.
Article originally posted by WAVE-TV Web site directed to: http://www.wave3.com/story/11117288/push-continues-to-allow-ky-grocers-to-sell-wine?redirected=true
Posted: Sep 11, 2009 7:54 PM EDT Updated: Sep 30, 2009 8:18 AM EDT
By Maira Ansari
Edited By Mike Dever
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – It’s easy to finding beer in Kentucky grocery stores, but the sale of wine or other liquor is prohibited in grocery stores – even in counties where alcohol sales are allowed. There’s been a push to change for several years, and now that battle is being fought in cyberspace.
“It’s a win-win” said Luke Schmidt, who represents the Food With Wine Coalition, a not-for-profit organization.
Schmidt says grocers and the wine industry want state law changed to allow wine sales at grocery stores in counties where package liquor is already allowed.
“It’s a win for the consumer, it’s a win for the state, it’s a win for Kentucky’s winery industry, it’s a win for Kentucky’s vineyards, Schmidt said.
Schmidt has launched a website to continue his push to change the state’s liquor laws. He’s hoping other Kentuckians will use the site as a tool to put pressure on state lawmakers.
“All people have to do is visit that site, foodwithwine.org, click on the ‘Sign the Petition button.’ It will enable them to not only sign the online petition, but it will also generate a letter to their specific state senator and their specific state representative indicating that they support a change in the law, Schmidt said.
The issue has come up before without success in the Kentucky General Assembly, but Schmidt says wine sales would increase if customers can buy it in grocery stores, and that increase will boost tax revenue, giving lawmakers a way to raise more money during tough economic times.
“We estimate over the first two years when the law is fully implemented that tax revenue will increase by $30.1 million,” Schmidt said.
Not everyone wants to see the law changed. Independent wine dealers and liquor store owners like Gordon Jackson of Old Town Liquors say making their biggest selling item available in retail stores could hurt their business.
“When we look at our business, wine is the core of our business,” Jackson said. “It would affect us, there is no question. Because we’re a small store, and we work on a relatively low margin to stay competitive with the big stores.”
Currently, 34 other states allow grocery stores to sell wine, including Indiana.
If you want to check out the online petition, visit www.foodwithwine.org.
Hundreds of people buy bottles of wine at Evergreen Liquors every week. It’s a profitable business. And grocery stores, like Kroger, would like a piece of that pie.
Article originally posted by WHAS-TV Web site directed to: http://www.whas11.com/news/consumer/64439637.html
Local-area Kroger campaign hopes to convince Ky lawmakers to let grocery stores sell wine
Local-area Kroger campaign hopes to convince Ky lawmakers to let grocery stores sell wine
WHAS11.com
Posted on September 12, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Updated Thursday, Oct 15 at 4:14 PM
By Melanie Kahn
(WHAS11) Hundreds of people buy bottles of wine at Evergreen Liquors every week. It’s a profitable business. And grocery stores, like Kroger, would like a piece of that pie.
Tim McGurk, Kroger Spokesperson says, “Certainly we’re interested in the extra sales, there’s no questioning that, but the driving force really is satisfying our customers. It is the number one requested item. Right now for a grocery store to sell wine and spirits we have to build a separate building with a separate entrance and it’s very inconvenient for our customers to shop that way.”
So Kroger, with the food and wine coalition have started a campaign to try and convince Kentucky Lawmakers to let grocery stores sell line. Kroger has added displays all over the stores and they’re putting flyers in shoppers’ bags.
Luke Schmidt, Food with Wine Coalition says, “A year ago we did a regular petition drive in grocery stores across the state and we generated 56 thousand signatures. That’s a lot of signatures. This mechanism, by going online, we believe is going to demonstrate to the legislators loud and clear that people want this law changed.”
Kentucky is one of the 15 states that does not allow customers to buy wine in grocery stores. Bill Boland, President of Evergreen Liquors says, it should stay that way.
Bill Boland, President of Evergreen Liquors says, “It’s sort of opening Pandora’s box and I think that is one of the reasons the legislature is reluctant. It’s going to make alcohol sales as common as soft drink sales.”
But public reaction to this campaign is mixed.
Ann Lennon, Kroger Customer says, “I think it’s a good idea. I would like it. You wouldn’t have to make another trip. It’s just more convenient.”
Mary-Beth Headinger, Kroger Customer, says, “I would prefer just to keep it separate and keep the liquor stores away from children and adolescents or anybody that might be tempted to do it either way.”
Supporters of changing state law to allow wine sales at Kentucky grocery stores in wet or moist counties are starting a campaign ahead of next year’s legislative session…The new campaign includes an online petition drive at www.foodwithwine.org, distributing fliers in groceries, along with 5-foot tall signs in groceries promoting the effort.
Article originally posted by The (Louisville) Courier-Journal directed to: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090911/BUSINESS/909110370/1003/BUSINESS/Campaign%20renewed%20for%20wine%20sales%20in%20groceries?GID=75AzNxFoolHXwWKskiZ4XGmG739z9x0y+NAZEw5rmbA%3D
Campaign renewed for wine sales in groceries
Supporters of changing state law to allow wine sales at Kentucky grocery stores in wet or moist counties are starting a campaign ahead of next year’s legislative session.
A bill to allow wine sales in Kentucky grocery stores died during the 2008 General Assembly. House Bill 585 would have allowed wine sales in 350 to 400 grocery stores statewide.
Food with Wine Coalition spokesman Luke Schmidt said Friday that proponents believe the change would produce $30.1 million in additional tax revenue for the state over the first two years. The coalition is backed by the Kroger chain.
The new campaign includes an online petition drive at www.foodwithwine.org, distributing fliers in groceries, along with 5-foot tall signs in groceries promoting the effort.
Liquor-store owners have questioned opposed the efforts, citing a variety of reasons including arguing that gains in grocery sales would be offset by declines at package liquor stores.
Article originally posted by WDRB-TV Web site directed to: http://www.fox41.com/story/11108581/group-seeks-wine-sales-in-grocery-stores?redirected=true
Group seeks wine sales in grocery stores
A group that wants wine sales in grocery stores in Kentucky has started an online petition drive. The group is seeking grassroots support to put pressure on state lawmakers.
It’s an organization representing local grocery companies, including market leader Kroger. It’s asking for the public’s support to encourage legislative action so that wine can be sold in grocery stores.
At Old Town Liquors in the Highlands, hundreds of brands of wine are on sale. Wine is the biggest seller at that store, and groceries would like to get in on the action. There’s plenty of beer for sale at a nearby Kroger store, but you won’t find any wine there. However, some grocers would like to change that. Kroger spokesman Tim McGurk says, “It’s far and away the number one requested item from our customers. They see it for sale when they go to Indiana, and they see it in Florida when they go on vacation. They really appreciate that convenience.”
And Luke Schmidt with the Food with Wine Coalition explains, “The grocery store industry decided that the time has come to ask the General Assembly to change existing law to allow grocery stores to sell wine just as it’s done in 34 other states.”
The Food with Wine Coaltion, which represents the grocery industry, is launching a petition drive encouraging customers to go online and sign up in support of wine sales at grocery stores. As Schmidt puts it, “For consumers it’s going to expand competition, it’s going to expand choice, and will eliminate the monopoly liquor stores have had going all the way back to Prohibition.”
The issue has come up before without success in the Kentucky General Assembly. But supporters believe with more stores selling wine, sales will increase and that will boost tax revenue, giving lawmakers a way to raise more money during tough economic times. Schmidt says, “We project over the first two years, Kentucky will collect an addiitonal $30.1 million in tax revenue.”
But Gordon Jackson, the owner of Old Town Liquors, won’t be signing the petition: I think the customer is much better served to use a locally-owned wine shop where somebody is very interested in wine and understands it rather than just randomly grabbing something off the shelf at a jumbo retailer.”
Louisville, Kentucky (September 9, 2009) – The Food with Wine Coalition announced today that it has launched an innovative online petition drive. The petition drive provides Kentuckians with a quick and easy way to stand up and confirm their support for changing existing state law to allow grocery stores to sell wine in counties which allow the sale of alcoholic beverages by the package.
For Immediate Release
Food with Wine Coalition Launches Online Petition Drive
Thousands of Kentuckians Have Voiced Their Support for Changing Existing State Law to Allow Grocery Stores to Sell Wine
Louisville, Kentucky (September 9, 2009) – The Food with Wine Coalition announced today that it has launched an innovative online petition drive. The petition drive provides Kentuckians with a quick and easy way to stand up and confirm their support for changing existing state law to allow grocery stores to sell wine in counties which allow the sale of alcoholic beverages by the package.
The petition drive is open to all Kentuckians of the age of 21 and over.
“Kentuckians continue to ask their local grocers why they can’t purchase wine where they shop for food,” commented Luke B. Schmidt, President of L.B. Schmidt & Associates, LLC and consultant to the Food with Wine Coalition. “By signing the Food with Wine Coalition’s online petition, consumers across Kentucky can quickly show their support for changing the law and they can communicate directly with their state legislator.”
Here is how it works: first Kentuckians should visit www.foodwithwine.org and click on the Sign the Petition link. Then complete the form and click on “Sign Now.” It’s that easy and will take no more than 30 seconds. By signing the petition, Kentuckians will automatically send a note to their respective state representative and state senator confirming their support for this initiative.
The Coalition is now also represented on two social networking media sites – Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook, interested parties can search for the Food with Wine Coalition, Inc. In addition to following news on this issue on the Coalition’s Web site, interested Kentuckians can also follow the Food with Wine Coalition on Twitter at the following link:
http://twitter.com/KYfoodwithwine
The Food with Wine Coalition is supporting the online petition drive with distinctive in-store displays asking consumers “Where’s the Wine?” The displays (copy of display design is attached to this release) have been placed in over 100 grocery stores from Paducah to Ashland. In addition, consumers in these stores will be given a bag stuffer with each transaction which will encourage them to visit the Coalition’s Web site and sign the online petition.
Schmidt noted that there is widespread support for changing the existing law to allow grocery stores to sell wine. Previously, 56,000 Kentuckians signed petitions in grocery stores across the state in support of the initiative. Media online polling consistently indicates that 90%+ of those polled want this law changed. Schmidt stated that changing existing law is “pro-consumer, pro-agriculture and pro-Kentucky,” and that there are three significant reasons as to why the law should be changed, including:
- Changing the law will increase competition in the state’s wine market by opening up between 300 and 400 new grocery store sales outlets for consumers to purchase wine, which will eliminate the near monopoly that liquor stores have held going all the way back to Prohibition
- By adding these new sales outlets, the sale of wine is expected to grow substantially which industry projections indicate will increase the amount of tax revenue collected by the Commonwealth by $30.1 million during the first two years the new law is in place, and by $83.8 million over the first five years – without adding any new taxes or increasing any existing tax rates – a real benefit to the Commonwealth as it continues to bridge revenue gaps during these challenging economic times
- The addition of these new sales outlets will also substantially increase the sale of Kentucky-produced wine, thereby increasing the demand for Kentucky-grown grapes – a real benefit for Kentucky’s farm families who are transitioning away from tobacco
Schmidt stated, “The time has come for Kentucky’s General Assembly to pass this progressive legislation and enable the state to join 34 other states which already allow grocery stores to sell wine, including six of our seven border states. When the hundreds of thousands of visitors arrive from all over the World next year in Lexington for the FEI World Equestrian Games, they will expect to be able to purchase wine in a variety of locations, including grocery stores.”
The Food with Wine Coalition is a not for profit organization that was established in 2007 by Kentucky’s grocery store industry and is supported by Kentucky’s wine industry. The Coalition’s purpose is to educate and inform the citizens of Kentucky about the advantages of allowing grocery stores to sell wine in wet and moist counties. Interested parties are invited to learn more about the issue by visiting the Coalition’s Web site (www.foodwithwine.org).
Note: members of the media may obtain an electronic version of the Food with Wine Coalition’s logo and the in-store display piece by contacting Luke Schmidt (502.292.2898 or via electronic mail, lbschmidt@lbschmidt.com).
An effort to change state law so grocery stores can sell wine in wet and “moist” counties will probably come up again in the 2010 Kentucky legislature…”With 300 additional sales outlets for wine, there’s no question that wine sales will go up,” said Luke B. Schmidt, president of the coalition. “Our most recent number indicated that over five years, the economic impact would be about $85 million.”
http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/915555.html
Listen to Luke Schmidt’s live interview on Western Kentucky University’s Public Radio station WKYU-FM to discuss ongoing efforts to develop passenger airline service at the Elizabethtown Regional Airport.
ELIZABETHTOWN — Local officials and businesspeople on Monday attended a public forum to learn more about a push for commuter flights out of Elizabethtown Regional Airport.
Article originally posted by The (Elizabethtown) News-Enterprise directed to: http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/forum-touts-carrier-service
Forum touts carrier service
By John Friedlein
Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 7:00 pm
By JOHN FRIEDLEIN
jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com
ELIZABETHTOWN — Local officials and businesspeople on Monday attended a public forum to learn more about a push for commuter flights out of Elizabethtown Regional Airport.
Project boosters are getting the word out about an initiative that would guarantee income for the first carrier that commits to serving the airport. Those who participate in the Partnership for Central Kentucky Airline Service Travel Bank are pledging money toward the service — if it happens — and will be reimbursed as they travel.
Airport Board consultant Luke B. Schmidt said the travel bank could raise $2 million. His group has received a number of written pledges, but he would not disclose the specific amount. He said he would like to have the subscriptions in by late summer or early fall and have an airline commitment by the end of the year.
Airport Board Chairman Joe Yates said officials hope flights will start sometime between a year and 18 months from now.
“We think this is going to be a go,” Yates said during the forum at the airport.
Schmidt said despite factors such as the recession, airlines are looking to expand where they find growth opportunities; he mentioned new services in Kansas and New Mexico.
Companies associated with three major carriers are interested in possibly establishing flights here. Jets would fly to a major hub, such as Chicago or Atlanta, with a minimum of three departures a day.
Growth expected with the Fort Knox realignment and possible electric vehicle battery plant in Glendale are seen as incentives to lure in an airline. Establishing a service here in 2010 would roughly coincide with those two initiatives.
Yates said the carriers are aware of these developments.
Such a service would help protect existing jobs and connect central Kentucky to the global economy, Schmidt said.
This effort to land a carrier is the first official joint venture of the area’s three chambers of commerce, which have formed a group called Regional Chambers United.
Radcliff Chamber President Mary Jo King said members stand to benefit from a commuter service. She said it is the chambers’ job to let them know about the opportunities.
Several employees of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union attended. President Bill Rissel said they are “very interested” in the development of a regional service. It would be convenient for businesses and good for the entire area. He also said he is interested in the travel bank.
Schmidt said: “From our point of view, it’s all about jobs; it’s all about the future of the region.”
Although there were commuter fights at the airport during the ’80s, there are no buildings there designed to function as a passenger terminal.
Once a carrier commits, construction of a terminal will begin; it will take about a year. The proposed structure is environmentally friendly and will be structure enclosed in glass. There will be free parking.
State and federal funding sources have been identified for the terminal project, Yates said.
John Friedlein can be
reached at (270) 505-1746
Elizabethtown, Kentucky (July 22, 2009) – A unique visioning project is now underway in Hardin County. The project is designed to build upon Hardin County’s strengths and current growth opportunities, identify weaknesses, and chart a course for the future.
For Immediate Release
Hardin County Vision Project Underway
Project Seeks to Build upon Hardin County’s Strengths and Current Growth Opportunities and Chart Course for the Future
Elizabethtown, Kentucky (July 22, 2009) – A unique visioning project is now underway in Hardin County. The project is designed to build upon Hardin County’s strengths and current growth opportunities, identify weaknesses, and chart a course for the future.
In announcing the project, Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry stated, “Hardin County is now experiencing a transformation which is unique to Kentucky with the BRAC related changes that are coming to Fort Knox and the proposed NAATBatt plant in Glendale. These changes will bring unprecedented growth and opportunities. We want to make sure that the County is well positioned to capitalize on the growth and to begin looking to the future and to maximize efficiencies.”
L.B. Schmidt & Associates, LLC, a consulting firm based in Louisville, has been selected to conduct the visioning project.
The visioning project will encompass the following activities:
County Strategic Assessment
The strategic assessment will analyze various components related to the community in terms of economic development, population growth, education, job creation, delivery of government services, etc., and the perception of the community on the part of community leaders. This will be accomplished by conducting key stakeholder interviews of 100 community leaders.
The strategic assessment will also include an examination of ongoing projects and studies that are being supported by various local agencies.
In addition, the strategic assessment will combine an analysis of the current situation in Hardin County with research of seven peer counties in the Midwest and Southeast in order to provide a snapshot of where the County stands from a competitive standpoint.
Leadership Forum
Following the completion of the strategic assessment, the findings will be presented during a one-day leadership forum. During the forum, participants will be encouraged to validate (or challenge) the findings, followed by an examination of the County’s guiding principles, such as the current Vision Statement. Finally, strategic goals will be developed along with an implementation plan which will serve as a guide for the County for the next five to 15 years.
Final Report
Following the leadership forum, the consulting firm will compile a final report which will be provided to Hardin County government.
Luke Schmidt, President of L.B. Schmidt & Associates, LLC, will direct and manage the project. Schmidt stated, “Hardin County’s vision project will enable the community’s leaders to step back and critically analyze where the County is today and, more importantly, determine the direction that they would like for the County to take tomorrow.”
“The cornerstone for this effort will be the 100 key stakeholder interviews which will include a cross section of the County’s leaders from the areas of agriculture, the business community, education, Fort Knox, government officials from the County and its five communities, plant managers and other groups,” said Schmidt. “The confidential surveys will cover a wide variety of issues including the arts, cooperation between communities and government jurisdictions/agencies, community competitiveness, economic development, education, health care, public safety, quality of life, transportation, etc.”
The project is now underway and is expected to be completed by the end of October. The project is being funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment and is being administered locally by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District. The grant is one of three local grants for projects related to the impact of realignment of Fort Knoxand its impact on Hardin County.
Hardin County is the sixth largest county in Kentucky and is governed by the three Commissioners of Hardin County Fiscal Court and Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry (www.hcky.org).
L.B. Schmidt & Associates, LLC is a Louisville-based consulting firm which specializes in strategic planning, organizational development, public affairs, economic development and marketing/communications projects (www.lbschmidt.com).