King Soopers Denver: Beer And Wine Shopping

In Denver, Colorado, it is now possible to buy wine and beer in grocery and convenience stores. This follows the passing of Proposition 125 in November 2022, which allows anyone with a license to sell beer to also sell wine. This includes popular grocery stores such as King Soopers, as well as larger retailers such as Target and Walmart. However, due to Colorado liquor laws, only one store in a chain is allowed to sell full-strength alcohol, with other stores restricted to selling 3.2% beer. This has led to some stores, such as the new King Soopers in Glendale, carrying a large selection of wine and beer, while others do not.

The new King Soopers in Glendale sells full-strength beer and wine

The new King Soopers in Glendale, Denver, will be selling full-strength beer and wine. The store, located at 4600 Leetsdale Drive, will be King Soopers' first venture into full-strength alcohol sales in Colorado.

The sale of wine and beer in grocery stores in Colorado is a recent development. In November 2022, Proposition 125 was passed, allowing retailers with a license to sell beer to also sell wine. This included popular grocery stores such as King Soopers, Safeway, Target, and Walmart.

Prior to this change in legislation, Colorado liquor laws allowed companies to apply for only one drug store/liquor license, which they could use for only one store. This meant that major grocery chains had to pick a single location to sell anything stronger than 3.2% beer. For example, Target sells full-strength alcohol at its store in Glendale, while Safeway uses its liquor license at a spot on Mineral Road in Littleton.

The new King Soopers in Glendale will be taking advantage of the change in legislation to sell full-strength beer and wine. The store will have an additional 10,000 square feet dedicated to alcohol sales. While King Soopers has not yet decided what portion of its beer and wine offerings will be Colorado-made, the company tries to carry as many locally-sourced products as possible.

The sale of full-strength alcohol in grocery stores has been a long time coming, with legislators trying for three years to change the liquor laws. While some celebrate the convenience of being able to buy alcohol while doing their grocery shopping, others worry about the impact on small, local businesses.

Colorado liquor laws allow companies to apply for only one drug store/liquor license

Yes, you can buy wine and beer at King Soopers in Denver. A new store in Glendale will be King Soopers' first venture into full-strength alcohol sales in Colorado.

Colorado liquor laws are quite complex. The state is a dual licensing authority, requiring retailers to obtain license approval from local government before applying for a state license. An exception to this rule exists for chain stores with multiple liquor licenses, where the state conducts a single background investigation to avoid repetition.

Crucially, Colorado liquor laws currently allow companies to apply for only one drug store/liquor license for a single store location. This means that major grocery chains like King Soopers, Safeway, and Target have had to choose one store to sell anything stronger than 3.2% ABV beer. For instance, Target's Glendale store sells alcohol, while Safeway uses its license at a Littleton location.

This restriction has led to attempts to change the liquor laws. While two recent initiatives were rejected, a ballot initiative by House District 7 candidate Blake Harrison may allow grocery stores to sell alcohol at all locations if it passes.

The King Soopers near Cherry Creek on Leetsdale sells full-strength beer, wine, and liquor

Colorado liquor laws currently allow companies to apply for only one drug store/liquor license, which can be used for a single store. This means that major grocery chains like King Soopers, Safeway, and Target have had to pick one location to sell full-strength alcohol.

The new King Soopers in Glendale will be the company's first store to take advantage of this license. The large footprint of the store, with an additional 10,000 square feet dedicated to alcohol, will allow it to include beer and wine.

The sale of full-strength alcohol in grocery stores is a recent development in Colorado. After the passing of Proposition 125 in November 2022, retailers with a license to sell beer can also sell wine. This change has brought mixed reactions, with some customers celebrating the added convenience, while others express concern for the potential negative impact on smaller local liquor stores.

The King Soopers in Glendale is expected to have a wide selection of alcohol, although it is not yet decided what portion of its beer and wine offerings will be Colorado-made. The store renovation is currently underway and is expected to be finished within three to six months.

The expanded sale of wine is also bringing more jobs to the state

The sale of wine in grocery and convenience stores in Colorado has brought about a wave of new job opportunities in the state. The passing of Proposition 125 in November 2022 allowed retailers with a license to sell beer to also sell wine. This expansion has included popular stores such as Safeway, King Soopers, Target, and Walmart.

The addition of wine to grocery stores has created a demand for new positions, such as wine stewards, in these establishments. Wine stewards, or sommeliers, are knowledgeable about different types of wine and can assist customers in making informed choices. They can provide guidance on wine and food pairings, as well as suggest alternatives to customers' favourite wines. This enhances the overall shopping experience and encourages customers to explore new wines.

The creation of these new roles has positive implications for both job seekers and wine enthusiasts in the state. For those seeking employment, wine steward positions offer an opportunity to work in a customer-facing role, providing advice and expertise. It is also beneficial for wine lovers, who can now conveniently find assistance in selecting the perfect wine to complement their meals or special occasions.

Furthermore, the expanded sale of wine in grocery stores is expected to have a ripple effect on the state's economy. With more people employed, there will be increased economic activity and a boost to the local communities. The additional income for families can lead to higher discretionary spending, which can further stimulate the economy.

While the expansion of wine sales has brought about these positive changes, it is important to acknowledge the concerns of small, local liquor store owners. Some worry that the increased convenience of purchasing wine in grocery stores may draw customers away from their businesses. This shift in consumer behaviour could potentially impact the revenue of smaller liquor stores, particularly those located near large grocery retailers.

Despite these concerns, the expanded sale of wine in Colorado has opened up new career paths and created a more vibrant job market in the state. It has also contributed to the overall convenience and accessibility of wine for consumers, making it a welcome change for many residents.

Customers voted yes for convenience

For years, Colorado liquor laws allowed companies to apply for only one drug store/liquor license, which they could use for only one store. This meant that grocery stores were limited to selling low-strength 3.2% beer. However, in 2023, after the narrow passing of Proposition 125, anyone with a license to sell beer could also sell wine. This included popular stores such as Safeway and King Soopers, as well as larger retailers such as Target and Walmart.

For customers, this meant that they could now finish their shopping all at once. No longer would they have to make a separate trip to a liquor store to get their wine and full-strength beer.

For grocery stores, this meant a reshuffling of shelves to accommodate the new alcohol aisles. For instance, a King Soopers store in Denver removed its entire natural organic supplement area to make way for wine.

While the change was celebrated by customers and grocery stores, local liquor store owners were concerned about the potential negative impact on their small businesses.

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