alcohol and the little guy - and not that little guy, the big little guy

One of the issues to come up is that of whether or not grocery stores can sell wine, liquor, and other than 3.2 beer.

A lot of folks on both sides have their opinions.  There is a lot of concern about the little guy and the “capitalist” effect if your local Safeway sold wine.  Have you ever been to a state that only the government can sell you your favorite beverage?  Now that is a trip.  Do you remember when you could not purchase that adult libation on Sunday?  How many remember going to the 3.2 bars in C Springs?  Those do not exist anymore so why should 3.2 be the beer of choice down at Loaf & Jug?

Ok, the little guy.  Yep and I try to help the little guy as much as I can.  But I have a problem with the one mega store that follows you around like you are a criminal and question why you put your hand in your pocket.  “Maybe to get money out to pay?”  The person or megastore that is trying to buy out the little guy that is completion. 

Now the little guy, here is what I have found out in my experience visiting states that have open sales, the little guy has a greater selection than Piggly Wiggly.  Chances are PW will have Miller Lite and Bud but not the local micro brews.  And a good selection of MD 20/20.  Yes, there will be those that will expand the isles but if Bernie has his way, you will only have a choice of one or two anyway.

Here is what I have learned over the years and with Walmart moving into Woodland Park.  A lot of folk were up in arms because the corporate devil was moving in and all these little guys were going to whither up and die.  Well, Walmart moved in and yes, some places closed up shop and people were upset.  But the other side of the story was that having Walmart in the community brought some significant growth and purchasing power. 

See people didn’t drive down to the Springs for all their needs and kind of stayed around the neighborhood on the weekend.  There were those that closed and we were sad to see them go but as the guy I was talking to at Leo’s Coffee in WP who owned a small business those that closed did not because of Walmart but because the owners were living sale to sale.  He stated that Walmart came to him and wanted to know what they could do to help him stay in business.  To some the mega store helped them with a business plan, another offered to sell their goods at other stores, and more. 

Like blaming the demise of the one lumber yard and hardware store in Florissant on Ace or Home Depot in C Springs.  It closed because the sons of the owner drove the company in to the dirt.  The kids did not address the needs of the community and were only in it for the money.  Or like Trinidad when one contractor was asked why he would drive to Pueblo for his supplies.  Well, besides getting the necessary supplies his family would eat at Red Lobster or Texas Roadhouse and pick up other necessities otherwise not available in the town.  Why is Lamar a ghost town on weekends and more Colorado tags in Garden City?  Because of the little guy? 

Ok, will the little guy survive?  Do you know that if a Dollar Tree is near a Hallmark or other card selling store, Dollar Tree will not sell cards?  That is their policy.  Why? Because it was a sound business decision to ensure the other store is not affected.  Will the Safeway consider that option? Who knows?

Little guy – yes, I understand the issue. But I have to go use the women’s restroom.