South Carolina: Big box-store booze sales in South Carolina back in the mix

Source: The Post and Courier

February 10, 2018

Advocates of preserving South Carolina’s three-store limit for liquor licenses are hoping legislators quickly pass a bill to keep liquor off the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies statewide.

The state Supreme Court struck down the limit last year as unconstitutional – a victory for Total Wine & More, which has stores in Charleston, Greenville and Columbia and wanted to open a fourth in South Carolina.

Days later, legislators passed a compromise maintaining the license limit for one year. That expires April 5. A bi-partisan bill up for debate on the S.C. House floor would preserve the cap indefinitely.

Rep. Peter McCoy, R-James Island, said it’s about “protecting mom and pop shops,” which account for most liquor stores statewide.

Without a limit, “all the Walmarts that want to, all the grocery stores and drug store chains,” could be selling liquor soon, said the main sponsor, House Judiciary Chairman Greg Delleney, R-Chester.