Written by Betsy Thompson
Dear friends of Cellar XV Wine Market and Small Local Business,
As if this hasn’t been a tough enough year, Connecticut wine/package stores are once again under assault by the Goliaths. The big box stores and chains- e.g. Walmart and Stop & Shop to name just two, want to undermine if not destroy the ‘Davids’- the small independent operators in CT. - by ‘offering’ wine for sale in grocery stores.
At a glance, one might say, ‘Hey! That would be convenient!’ But ‘convenience’ is the only possible positive it would offer Connecticut shoppers. That ‘convenience’ has a ripple effect resembling a tidal wave. Opening sales to grocery stores adds thousands of additional locations to purchase wine- likely the mainstream, ubiquitous, widely advertised wines, at the peril of small, locally owned and operated boutique wine shops offering unique options, expertise, and local support.