Wine in the "Community"

by Michael

During the spring in a desperate effort to find ways to increase revenue for the state Govenor Patterson proposed that supermarkets and package stores be allowed to sell wine in addition to beer. This was met with fierce opposition from the many independent wine and liquor store owners across the state. Since one person can hold a license for one store there are no chains in New York State. This makes wine and liquor stores one of the last mom and pop businesses left. The coalition that formed against the proposal is actually called "The Last Store on Main St." I became involved because this proposal would effectively put me out of business.

In March I drove up to Albany to lobby our cause with our elected officials. As I drove I tried to clarify my psoition. After all more outlets for wine means more convenience for consumers so am I against free trade? The answer is no, I am not. If the proposal had gone through 1000 stores would have closed and we would have been left with a bunch of big brands and limited choices so while it might have been more convenient the cost would have been steep. The proposal was defeated for now but it brings up my reason for writing: the role of the small store in your community.

I thought about what I do each day and it is much more than sell wine. The day prior to my trip to Albany I talked with a woman in the store at length about her cancer treatments. She did not confide in me because of my lengthy medical resume, she confided in me because I was someone familiar she knew from doing business but also someone who would listen. I kept thinking on my way to Albany about what her experience would be if she tried the same thing with a stockboy putting cheap chardoanny on the shelf at the supermarket. She is not the first person or the last person to confide in me like this. We enagage in what I call a "social contract" when we operate these small stores. I am here not only to sell but to be involved in my community. Over the last year through direct donations of wine and wine tasting events I have helped the schools civic groups and religious organizations in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood raise over $25,000.00. While I might benefit with business down the road from these donations I do it because I feel that as aprt of the community it is what I want to do.

So why am I telling you all this? Business is hard for us all these days and it is important to remind everyone that we are all in this together. We are doing our best to maintain a unique selection of wine but what has not changed is our commitment to our neighbors.