One Ginormous Step Forward for New Yorkers
Hey all you New York readers out there - great news is just about to fall on your winter-embattled doorsteps. That's right, if NY Gov. David Paterson's revenue-raising proposal passes the state's legislature, you'll soon be able to buy wine at grocery stores - just like the rest of us in the 35 states that already allow it. Yay! The move is expected to bring in $100 to $200 million additional in franchise fees each year from merchants, and it should also make wine prices more competitive across the board (note: a slight tax increase on wine will accompany these changes). Your wine buying options will also swell from an estimated 2,400 retailers (liquor stores) to nearly 20,000 as supermarkets come on board with the booze sales. Bravo!