Walmart Wants To Sell Hard Liquor In Texas
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Whiskey. Rum. Vodka. Tequila. You won't find any of those at Walmart stores in Texas. But the big box store is hoping to change that with a battle in federal court. If the retailer wins its case, customers could soon see hard liquor sold at separate locations next to the existing stores.
The lawsuit was filed in Austin on Thursday.
Some Walmart stores in Texas already sell beer and wine, but the retailer is hoping to add distilled spirits to its shelves as well. The products would be available in separate stores with separate entrances from main Walmart locations. The retailer would still have to follow existing liquor laws.
"I would be against it," said customer Jordon Tobias on Friday. "I just think that it's already getting bad enough, people just drinking and driving. It's giving them the right to have liquor sold right next to the highway."
Walmart already sells hard liquor in 25 other states.
Walmart said that it cannot get certain permits which are needed in Texas to sell hard liquor. That is because state law prohibits publicly-traded companies from opening so-called 'package stores.' But a loophole in the state law has already helped a few favored companies open large 'package store' chains.
The company cites stores like Spec's as having an advantage.
Walmart claims that those retailers dominate regional markets and limit consumer choice.
"It really don't bother me," added Nick McNeil, who is not opposed to Walmart stores carrying liquor and would enjoy the convenience of competitive pricing. "Whoever is the cheapest is what I say."
