Walmart has a new way of serving customers as chain overturns strict drinks ban in place since 1978
As published by The U.S. Sun:
A LAW on alcohol which has existed for almost 50 years could be revoked soon.
Locals have debated over the drink rules for years, and now stores like Walmart are bracing for the potential change.
Since 1978 beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores has been banned. Alcohol must generally be sold in dedicated, separate liquor stores.
Other states including Alaska, Delaware and Rhode Island also don’t allow these types of sales.
Now, Maryland lawmakers are pushing legislation that would allow grocery stores to stock and sell beer and wine.
That means that alcohol could be served in the 58 Walmarts across the state.
According to the Maryland Retailers Alliance, 80% of Marylanders support this bill, but there have been several past attempts to pass that law have failed.
In 2024, the state passed a law that allowed local retailers to deliver alcoholic beverages through third-party platforms like Door Dash.
But locals admit it would be “convienient” if they could pick up their favourite drinks at local shops.
One individual told CBS: “It would be very convenient for me to be able to pick up a bottle of wine when I’m shopping for dinner.”
Representatives from the Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition say it is “long overdue”.
The group says the current beer ban in grocery stores deprive “consumers of a simple convenience that the vast majority of Marylanders support.”
Cailey Locklair, the president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, argued this legislation would help the overall economy.
She told CBS: “Every time a Maryland family crosses that border to shop, we don’t just lose their beer and wine sales.
“We lose their entire grocery basket. We lose sales tax revenue. We lose spending that should be supporting Maryland jobs and Maryland communities.”
But some are concerned that allowing big chains to sell alcohol would hurt craft distilleries and small businesses.
Those in favor of the bill say they also want safeguards to protect existing liquor stores, plus distance restriction would be created between grocery and liquor stores, and a limited square footage allowed for alcohol in grocery stores.
