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FL: Florida Businesses Unite Launched to Keep Grocery Sales Separate From Liquor Sales

FL: Florida Businesses Unite Launched to Keep Grocery Sales Separate From Liquor Sales

 

Sunshine State News

Submitted by Kevin Derby

October 22, 2015

On Wednesday, retailers like ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and Publix as well as the Florida Independent Spirits Association teamed up to form Florida Businesses Unite which is looking to ensure grocery stores and liquor sales remain separated.

 

“For the last two years, there has been an effort led by out-of-state retailers to change existing Florida law to remove ‘the wall’ and allow for the sale of liquor inside our local family grocery stores,” said Sarah Bascom, a spokeswoman for Florida Businesses Unite, on Wednesday. “Major policy changes like the fight over ‘the wall,’ where there is no constituency asking for it and no real need, negatively impact Florida businesses and usually trace back to out-of-state companies seeking to change the law to better fit their business models.

“In response to this, a group of concerned Florida-based businesses has gotten together under ‘Florida Businesses Unite’ to encourage Florida lawmakers to stand up for Florida businesses and for fair market practices,” continued Bascom. “Florida Businesses Unite agrees that laws that no longer meet the needs of consumers should be changed, but this legislation does not meet that criteria.

“All businesses are operating properly and competing fairly under current Florida law,” Bascom concluded. “We remain hopeful that Florida lawmakers will oppose this movement led by out-of-state retailers to change existing Florida law to benefit their business models.”