NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
The debate over wine sales in grocery stores may be back in Tennessee. A federal judge in Kentucky has said banning wine in the stores is unconstitutional.
The judge said it's unconstitutional to make stores like Kroger in Kentucky sell liquor in a building down the street and cited the 14th amendment, which prevents unfairly restricting licenses.
Now, some are wondering how that ruling may influence Tennessee law when the bill comes up again.
"This lawsuit has been going on for a year and a half, and I think it could send shock waves to many other states, like Tennessee, that are looking to put wine in grocery stores," said State Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro.
Ketron has been the big champion of wine sales in grocery stores. He brings the proposal up every year, and every year it dies in the legislature.
"The last poll that was done, right out here at MTSU in Murfreesboro, it polled 72 percent of people in the state of Tennessee want to be able to purchase wine in grocery stores, because it's a convenience," Ketron said.
But the liquor store industry believes the proposal is anti-small business, as small, family-owned stores get clobbered by chains like Kroger, Publix, Harris Teeter and even Walgreens.
One liquor store owner said they are already regulated enough with rules that keep them closed on Sundays and holidays, restrict them from advertising and even prevent them from selling ice.
But the debate isn't over, as even the federal judge's ruling will be challenged and possibly moved up the ladder for even bigger federal decision.
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