COLORADO, USA — Grocery and convenience stores are allowed to sell wine in Colorado effective Wednesday, March 1.
Local liquor stores have dreaded the date after the initiative, Prop 125, passed by less than 2% in November.
"It’s like all the air being sucked out of you. You know, you’ve worked really hard for something, and to see those super narrow margins, yeah, it hurts a lot," Joy Wine and Spirits owner Carolyn Joy said in Denver.
"The message was convenience, but what you sacrifice at that is local jobs, local business, local revenue and also selection and service," Joy said. "It's frustrating and disheartening to have 10, 20 or 30% of your business just basically given away."
Just around the corner from Joy Wine & Spirits in Denver, there's a literal sign of the times. A small sign sits on a shelf in what was a bread aisle at a grocery store. The ad celebrates the wine selection that will arrive in March.
"I feel like big corporations just want more and more," Joy said. "I hope that we're able to adapt to this, but anytime you're taking away business, just basically giving it away, really sucks."
Joy said she will wait a few months to see the true impacts Prop 125 has on her businesses. From there, she stressed, she will pivot to try and stay afloat.
She just hopes customers will support local rather than convenience.
"Even if means going next door or making a separate trip, it’s just really important because businesses like mine depend on all of the sales," she said. "Keep supporting your local community and your local liquor store."
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