TOPEKA, Kan. -- If a new proposal to change alcohol sales laws in Kansas can get through the state legislature, convenience stores in the state could be selling full-strength beer and wine beginning July 1, 2018.
The coalition, comprised of convenience store and grocery retailers of all sizes from across the state, is pushing for the adoption of legislation mirroring what Oklahomans passed with 66% of the vote in the general election this past November. Under the Uncork Kansas bill, Kansans would be able to shop for full-strength beer and wine in grocery, convenience and liquor stores. They could also buy chips, mixers, corkscrews and other nonalcohol items in liquor stores. Liquor stores would continue to be the exclusive providers of spirits.
“At our customers’ insistence, we’ve long advocated for more consumer-focused alcohol laws and the legislative changes," said Dave Dillon, chairman of Uncork Kansas. "We’re gearing up to work with the legislative body to move forward on this issue and modernize laws in Kansas so grocers and c-stores can sell beer and wine.”
The push for change comes after the Kansas Senate rejected a similar measure to allow supermarkets and convenience stores to sell full-strength beer in May 2015.
Uncork Kansas goes into the new effort with support from Republican state Sen. Sean Tarwater.
“Kansans have long expressed their frustration with Kansas liquor laws, and it’s time that we as a legislative body take action to create equity in the marketplace and allow consumers the freedom to decide where they purchase their adult beverages,” Tarwater said. “It’s not responsible to have policies in place that encourage shopping across the border. We need to retain business in Kansas, and improving how alcohol is retailed is one to keep Kansas money in Kansas.”
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