Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/675795
www.beveragedynamics.com May/June 2016 • Beverage Dynamics 7 Editor's NOTE VP, Beverage Group Amy Collins Editor Jeremy Nedelka Tel: 203-855-8499 x2213 email: jnedelka@epgmediallc.com Associate Editor Kyle Swartz Tel: 203-855-8499 x2225 email: kswartz@epgmediallc.com Contributing Editors Laurie Daniel Robert Plotkin Christian Lachel Sarah Protzman Howlett Julie Johnson Jack Robertiello Jonathan Newman Thomas Henry Strenk Senior Regional Sales Manager Bruce Kostic Tel: 203-855-8499, x2215 email: bkostic@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Mark Marcon Tel: 248-761-6231 email: mmarcon@epgmediallc.com Senior Regional Sales Manager Debbie Rittenberg Tel: 215-431-8787 email: drittenberg@epgmediallc.com Associate Art Director Andrea Schneider Production Director Cherri Perschmann Tel: 763-383-4400, x2425 email: cperschmann@epgmediallc.com Managing Art Director Dodi Vessels Senior Research Analyst Marina Velez Tel: 203-855-8499 x2212 email: mvelez@epgmediallc.com LIST RENTAL MeritDirect, Jim Scova email: jscova@MeritDirect.com Tel: 914-368-1012 REPRINTS Circulation and Audience Development Manager Robin Cooper email: rcooper@epgmediallc.com Sr VP/Audience Development Joanne Juda-Prainito Sr VP/Finance & Operations Gerald Winkel CEO Marion Minor RETAILER EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ralph Bondon Berbiglia's Hal Gershman Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Ron Junge Brown Derby Stores Ted Farrell Haskell's Ed Mulvihill Peco's Liquors Steve Small Yankee Wine & Spirits Charles Sonnenberg Frugal MacDoogal's Beverage Dynamics is published by EPG Media & Specialty Information Editorial and executive offi ces at 17 High St., 2nd Fl., Norwalk, CT 06851 Telephone: 203-855-8499 Fax: 203-855-9446 Jeremy Nedelka Editor IN DEFENSE OF REGULATORY DIVERSITY ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING (and occasionally frustrating) things about covering this industry is the patchwork of bev- erage alcohol laws and regulations throughout the country. In individual states, counties and towns, local traditions and norms govern the production, distribution and sale of alcohol – often in ways no one left alive can explain. And despite more than eight decades as a legal product, alcohol retains a stigma among a minority of the population. Historical events and deep-rooted traditions often determine a community's relationship with alcohol, preventing a cohesive set of national regulations. That should be a lesson to the proponents of marijuana legalization – pot may become legal overnight, but legality and social acceptance are two very differ- ent animals. I was recently at the Wine & Spirit Wholesalers Association Convention in Las Vegas, where the top and middle tiers of our industry come together to conduct business, learn about new products and share ideas. Recent consolida- tion among wholesalers is cause for concern for suppliers (particularly smaller ones fi ghting for distribution) and retailers (particularly small operations and regional chains who don't have the buying power of national corporations). But given the assortment of state laws around the country, any single company cre- ating a successful national distribution network is unlikely. EVERYTHING IS LOCAL When I speak to retailers, I'm often struck by how passionate they are in de- fending or opposing local beverage laws. Many of the men and women in our industry have joined their local chamber of commerce, or even run for public offi ce to ensure their business interests are represented during regulatory de- bates. I lived through a number of those changes growing up in Connecticut, where many "blue laws" are still on the books. A few years ago Connecticut began allowing Sunday sales, the state has loosened operating hours and it's now considering changes to minimum pricing regulations. In April, I moved to the control state of New Hampshire. I've worked with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission on a number of projects as editor of StateWays magazine, and I look forward to experiencing the NHLC's operation as a citizen of the state. It will take a little getting used to, since I've spent the past decade going to the "package store" for wine and spirits, and rarely visited a state-run store. But if New Hampshire's regulatory system doesn't work for me, three state borders are nearby – each leading to a unique approach to alco- hol distribution and sales.