logo
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-8
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-8
  • News
  • Retail
  • Opinion
  • Movers & Shakers
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Community
  • Entertainment
  • Food & Beverage
  • Archives
  • Free Subscription
    • News
    • Retail
    • Opinion
    • Movers & Shakers
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Community
    • Entertainment
    • Food & Beverage
    • Archives
    • Free Subscription
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-6
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-6
Local liquor stores affected by recent wine-sale legislation
House of Spirits is one of the local liquor stores affected by a new law that allows grocery stores to sell wine. Rika Donegan | MBT
News
Justin Tubbs Montrose Business Times on
April 26, 2023
Local liquor stores affected by recent wine-sale legislation

Local businesses have been negatively impacted by a law that went into effect in March which allows grocery and convenience stores to sell wine.

The proposition was introduced in the 2022 election and was passed by voters. The law allows anyone with a license to sell beer to also sell wine.

Since March 1, locals have been able to buy wine at City Market, Walmart and Target, as well as convenience stores across town. Before, the only place consumers could pick up their wine was at liquor stores.

“We were quite upset about it, when it passed,” said Brittany Bagwell, who manages West Main Liquor. “Honestly momand- pop liquor stores are what this town runs on (as far as alcohol sales go.”

She said wine has typically accounted for about 20% of West Main Liquors sales and that since March, wine sales are down at least 15%.

“The wine is just moving really slow,” she said. To immediately try to compete with the bigger wine retailers, West Main has implemented sales. They’ve also aimed at expanding their variety of wines to hopefully capture customers looking for more specific or specialty wines.

Dominick Lajoy owns House of Spirits on East Main Street, and he’s familiar with this sort of change in law. He remembers corporate lobbyists vying for grocery stores’ rights to sell full-strength beer.

He says they were able to adjust and ultimately did fine after that law change took effect in 2019. He said grocery stores had a wide variety of local crafts to begin with but soon realized they didn’t sell the volume they needed to make it worth their while.

Lajoy travels to Denver once a month to scout new beers and offer a bigger selection of craft, which grocery stores can’t quite do like his store does.

Still, Lajoy worries about the future of mom-and-pop liquor stores, where 70% of his business is regulars. He says legislation that would allow for bigger liquor stores to move into communities like Montrose, which has small liquor stores across town, would devastate several mom-and-pop shops.

“It might wipe out half of the liquor stores we have in town,” he said.

With that, he said, you would likely see a net drop in employment, which would negatively affect the local economy.

The wine sale legislation did affect Lajoy’s sales a little bit, but he says his liquor store and others like it offer something grocery stores can’t compete with.

“At the grocery store, it takes longer to park your car, go in to where the wine is and pick it out and leave,” he said. “Liquor stores are designed for quick and easy access and, plus, we do delivery.”

justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com mailto:justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com

or by phone at 970-765-0915 or 254-246-2260.

Related Posts
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-4
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-4
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-2
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-2
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-7
Error with device mobile widget id ads_slot-7
MOST READ
Les Schwab Tires aims for July soft opening in Montrose
Business, News
Les Schwab Tires aims for July soft opening in Montrose
By Justin Tubbs Montrose Business Times 
July 10, 2025
Les Schwab Tire Centers will open a new, full-service store in Montrose on July 23, bringing more than a dozen jobs and a range of automotive services...
this is a test
Montrose County board moves forward without county manager after resignation, split over finalist
News
Montrose County board moves forward without county manager after resignation, split over finalist
By Justin Tubbs | MBT 
July 9, 2025
Montrose County’s top administrative position remains vacant after interim county manager Leslie Quon resigned Monday, prompting two days of public di...
this is a test
Recall effort launched against Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares, who pushed for fmr. county manager’s resignation
News
Recall effort launched against Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares, who pushed for fmr. county manager’s resignation
By Justin Tubbs Montrose Business Times 
July 7, 2025
A citizen-led effort to recall Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares is set to begin next week, with more than 100 volunteers preparing to gather...
this is a test
From survival to thriving: How a nonprofit has found new purpose in business cultivation
Community, News
From survival to thriving: How a nonprofit has found new purpose in business cultivation
By Justin Tubbs Montrose Business Times 
July 3, 2025
For years, the doors to MADA sat mostly closed — its future uncertain, its purpose fading. Once a vibrant hub rooted in Chicano pride and self-suffici...
this is a test
Amazon aims for year-end opening of Montrose delivery station, bringing over 50 jobs
Business, News...
Amazon aims for year-end opening of Montrose delivery station, bringing over 50 jobs
By Justin Tubbs Montrose Business Times 
June 24, 2025
Amazon expects to complete construction on its new last-mile delivery facility in Montrose by the end of 2025 and plans to hire more than 50 employees...
this is a test

Subscribe for Free to the interactive E-edition. Each Wednesday.

subscribe
logo

The Montrose Business Times has established itself as the premier source for local business news, community updates, events, and trends in Montrose, Colorado, and its surrounding areas. Our mission is to inform and support the growth of our residents, businesses, business leaders, and entrepreneurs within our community—a commitment we hold with great sincerity. Our vision transcends the act of sharing success stories; we strive to create them. We believe in the transformative power of storytelling—how sharing experiences, insights, and personal journeys can ignite inspiration and drive meaningful change within our community. At the heart of our endeavor lies growth and impact. We are devoted to engaging with the community at large, ensuring that everyone has access to the remarkable stories and insights we present. Our offerings encompass digital news content, a weekly digital newspaper, and a variety of events—all designed to honor and celebrate the best that Montrose has to offer. We invite you to join us on this journey as we illuminate the narratives that shape our vibrant city. Professional Memberships: National Newspaper Association, Colorado Press Association, Colorado News Collaborative, LION Publishers, Montrose Economic Development Corporation, and the Greater Montrose Chamber of Commerce  

INFO

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Become a member
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Become a member

CONTACT INFO

montrosebusinesstimes.com

Montrose Business Times

501 E. Main Street

Montrose CO 81401

9707650915

submissions@montrosebusinesstimes.com

Got a story tip? Drop us a note at submissions@montrosebusinesstimes.com