Petitions have already started to keep wine sales only in liquor stores. It comes after a ruling by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Liquor stores in Oklahoma have controlled the sale of alcohol for years but voters will decide soon whether grocery stores can sell wine. Liquor Stores like Parkhill's, B and B South and others across Oklahoma are about making sales, but they could have more competition when the issue is put before voters. What's really at issue here is convenience.
Joe Bohannon says, "people are sold on the convenience of it, but it's not going to be that more convenient and there's some residual like I said higher prices, the stores are gonna make it up.
But it's not only a matter of convenience. Bohannon says it's also about the risk. Right now you have to be at least 21 to enter a liquor store.
"I think it shows if young people are around alcohol the forbidden fruit and they're going to be exposed to it."
"I understand the liquor stores concern but at the end of the day it ought to be a free market," says Tim Hueback with QuikTrip.
QuikTrip would not be included in the provision that would allow wine in grocery stores and for the chain that's a problem.
"The end of the day consumers ought to have the opportunity to make a choice. Wine has been around for centuries, so why shouldn't they have the convenience to buy it at a convenience store, small platform grocery store."
The liquor association is planning a media campaign to educate the public on why it doesn't want the sales to happen in grocery stores.
Petitioners have 90 days to collect the signatures. This issue will end up on the ballot probably in two years.
