Grocery stores are pushing a state ballot initiative that would allow them to sell full-strength beer and wine at multiple locations. (Denver Post file)
Re: Colorado liquor stores should have to face unregulated competition, May 3 letter to the editor.
Letter-writer Randy Wilson seems confused. He states that the current structure of wine and beer sales in Colorado amounts to a regulated oligopoly.
An oligopoly is when a few sellers dominate a marketplace. Right now, hundreds of independent sellers in Colorado compete fairly, and everyone — except large corporate grocery chains — sees benefit from it. Should these large, corporate, out-of-state-controlled grocery chains be given the right to sell wine and full-strength beer, the vast majority of these locally owned independents will be put out of business. The marketplace will then become dominated by a few major corporations, which would amount to the oligopoly that Wilson apparently opposes.
Additionally, large corporations gaining the right to sell beer and wine would result in a great reduction in the diversity of brands available to Colorado consumers. Further, the dollars we spend on these goods would no longer be staying in Colorado — rather, they ll be going to grocery chain headquarters in California, Ohio and Arkansas.
James Lewis, Castle Rock
This letter was published in the May 7 edition.This issue is as simple as David and Goliath, the little guy versus the big guy. Time and time again it s been pointed out that the little guy in business doesn t have a chance.
Where is the corner drugstore? Completely taken over by the big corporations. Our corner pharmacist is now probably working for wages at Walgreens, Rite Aid or CVS. Or working at the supermarket that now also wants to put family-owned and operated corner liquor stores out of business.
Independently owned liquor stores already have plenty of competition. This comes from other liquor stores.
Colorado should leave the little stores alone. Let their owners work their 50 to 60 hours a week to pay for school supplies, clothes for their children and a fridge full of food.
Joel Weissman, Denver
This letter was published in the May 7 edition.
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