New Push Underway To Sell Alcohol In Grocery Stores

A new push is underway to expand beer and sales in Kansas grocery stores.

"Uncork Kansas" is kicking off a public relations blitz… to convince lawmakers to approve new legislation.

This year, Uncork Kansas is trying to allow 5 percent beer and wine to be sold in grocery stores like this Dillons. Some liquor store owners say that could drive them out of business.

The new proposal would do away with 3.2 percent beer and allow all stores including grocery stores to sell the stronger 5 percent beer. The former Kroger CEO, David Dillion, is this year’s chairman of Uncork Kansas.

The other proposal would freeze the number of liquor licenses at the present number of 752 making those licenses more valuable if a small liquor store wants to sell its license to a grocery store.

The proposal would also allow liquor store to sell items other than liquor.

In rural areas where there are fewer grocery stores, the liquor store could offer milk and bread to their customers.

Last year the proposal to change Kansas liquor laws didn’t make it out of committee.