SAY NO!

We greatly respect Maryland's vision for progress and its pursuit of change; however, it is essential to consider the unique dynamics of our local economy, retail landscape, and community-focused small businesses before permitting grocery stores to sell alcoholic beverages. While grocery stores aim to enhance the "customer experience," this move risks creating monopolistic outlets that consolidate too many industries under one roof—at the cost of small, family-owned businesses, public safety, and state economic retention.

Maryland has a unique retail environment where over 70% of liquor stores are already located in shopping centers anchored by grocery stores. This means that consumers purchasing groceries can walk less than 200 feet to visit a liquor store, where they gain access to a curated selection of alcoholic beverages and the expertise of knowledgeable staff. In contrast, allowing alcohol sales in grocery stores would result in large, impersonal beer stacks and wine displays, stripping away the value of personalized service and curated choices that liquor stores provide.

Opponents label Maryland's liquor laws as outdated, but these laws are stringent and extensively regulated to ensure responsible alcohol distribution. Current laws address community concerns, such as preventing liquor stores from being too close to churches or schools and requiring rigorous training for employees to control alcohol sales.

Grocery chains dominate multiple industries. Adding alcohol sales consolidates up to 10 industries under one roof, undermining competition and local small businesses. Many grocery chains are non-local corporations, so revenue would flow to corporate HQs outside Maryland, unlike independent stores that reinvest locally. Family-owned stores cannot compete with the pricing and marketing power of grocery chains, leading to closures and job losses.

Grocery stores are family-friendly spaces. Unlike liquor stores which restrict access, grocery stores mix alcohol displays with regular goods, increasing early exposure to children. Grocery stores aren't specialized in alcohol compliance, which increases risks of shoplifting and sales to minors, straining board inspectors and law enforcement. Grocery stores use loss-leader pricing to undercut competition, which could eliminate fair market competition, giving chains total control. Grocery stores have no controlled ratio of grocery to alcohol sales and could prioritize profit over public safety, leading to irresponsible sales practices.