Local owners concerned about impact of Question 1
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

Many local merchants oppose the proposal to change the law to allow wine sales in grocery stores, which is one of three ballot questions facing voters at the Nov. 7 election.

"The only reason we would carry it is because I would have to be competitive with the convenience store," said Bruce Vincent, the owner of Westminster's grocery store, referring to Cumberland Farms also on Main Street.

Vincent said between the Westminster Pharmacy and Wine & Roses, both on Main Street in town, he does not see the need to carry wines. He said that neither of those stores competes for any of his business but Cumberland's could.

"I wouldn't want to compete against them," Vincent said. "They are local people trying to make a living selling liquor. We kind of work together. (The proposed law) throws a whole loop in the scenario."

The law would allow local liquor licensing authorities to grant permits to food stores - those stores that carry meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs, fresh fruits and produce as well as other specified item, according to information from the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The licensing authorities in towns of up to 5,000 residents could issue up to five licenses for food stores to sell wine. In towns of more than 5,000 people one additional license could be issued for each additional 5,000 people "or fraction thereof," according to the state.

David Ahearn, the owner of Wine & Spirits in Ashburnham, said he is opposed to the proposal because he believes it is another way to drive out small business and create more chain stores.

"Ashburnham is probably in the most competitive market," he said.

The town has two stores with wine and malt licenses - the MarketPlace and Tweedos - and two stores with full liquor licenses - Mr. Mike's and Wine & Spirits.

Ahearn said if the competition was what he faced in Ashburnham - locally owned grocery stores - he wouldn't be opposed but he does not think that this is the purpose of the proposed change.

"It's once again making choices for big business," he said. "I don't know why wine is less then other liquors. It's really helping to get rid of this industry. How convenient is it for towns to lose business?"

Ashby has one store licensed to sell wine and malt beverages and two stores that are allowed to sell all kinds of liquor.

There are four all-alcohol package stores in Townsend and one wine and malt store in town.

Under the new law Ashby would stand to gain only five additional wine licenses, while Ashburnham, Townsend and Westminster would each gain six licenses.

The Board of Selectmen is the licensing authority in Ashburnham, Ashby and Townsend. Westminster has a liquor commission that monitors the licenses.

"We haven't ever discussed it (as a board)," said Townsend Town Administrator Gregory Barnes. "In our case we're only looking at one more store possibly getting it."

The town's grocery store is Hannaford Supermarket on Main Street. A call for comment from Hannaford's corporate office was not returned.

The state election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.
                                Polling Locations
        Tuesday, Nov. 7 - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ashburnham: John R. Briggs Elementary School, Williams Road
Ashby: Ashby Elementary School, Main Street
Townsend: Memorial Hall, Main Street
Westminster: Westminster Elementary School, Academy Road