By Bob Katzen

Current law suspends the liquor license of and closes down for a period of time, any package store that is found guilty of selling to a minor or an intoxicated individual. However, in big box stores, supermarkets, gas stations and other places in which liquor sales are not their primary business, a violation results only in the closing of the liquor department.

A bill, sponsored by Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) and heard by the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, would amend current law so that the entire establishment is closed down.

Supporters said current law creates an unfair disadvantage to the liquor stores and argued the bill levels the playing field.

“As licenses to sell alcohol have expanded into big box stores and supermarkets, the small, in most cases, family owned ‘packies’ have suffered,” said Howitt. “If any liquor store is caught selling to a minor, they may face closure for a few days, not the case for liquor-selling big box stores, gas stations and supermarkets. Should this occur in one of these retailers, only the alcohol department is shut down for a suspension period.”

Howitt continued, “This bill would shut down the whole business, just as a liquor store. It would also ensure that these big stores would be mindful, as small liquor stores are, that this is serious business, not just a small additional merchandise department in their stores.”