FIRST SIP ®
Privatization Mean for the On-Premise?
What Does W
and most lucrative control states has privatized the sale of spirits as of June 1st. Oregon and Idaho are expected to follow suit and there are rumblings in Pennsylvania. Wine was previously available in privately
ith the passage of the largely Costco- driven I-1183 bill in Washington State, one of the country's largest
owned shops but the move to privatization will also change the wine lineup on the shelves. Large stores, with more than 10,000 square feet, are the only ones in Washington that will be able to carry spirits, so they may dedicate more space to drinks brands over wine. Smaller shops may specialize even more in esoteric and local wines. Th e changeover has been off to a bumpy start
July/August 2012 Vol. 23 No. 6
Executive Vice President, Group Publisher Charles Forman Tel (845) 426-6072
cforman@m2media360.com Editor-in-Chief
Liza B. Zimmerman Tel (415) 994-0130
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Managing Editor Jeremy Nedelka
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Art Director Kathleen Sage
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Production Director Mary Jo Tomei
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Kelly Magyarics, Todd Price, Thomas Henry Strenk, Carolyn Walkup
Michelle Paolillo Lockett,
Contributing Editors Jason H. Barker, Andrew Freeman,
Vice President of Sales, Associate Publisher Anthony Bongiovanni Tel (248) 253-0108
tbongiovanni@m2media360.com
Senior Regional Sales Managers Mark Marcon
wanted—and what consumers in other states desire as well—however the long-term implications are yet to be seen for both the on- and off -premise arenas.
Cheers!
Liza B. Zimmerman Editor-in-Chief
premise arena. Higher costs off -premise could make drinking and dinning out more appealing and aff ordable. Restaurants may become the true in-state wine specialists featuring greater depth in brands and vintages than most large stores. Th ere could be a decline in unusual cocktail consumption at bars as consumers have access to a wider variety of brands and have a better opportunity to mix it up at home. Th ere's little doubt that privatization is what the consumers of Washington State
with mass runs on state stores in the last days of May prompting a few employees to express concern about "going dry." Prices are also higher, surprising some consumers. Few in the business seem to have yet refl ected how these changes will aff ect the on-
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