It felt like Oklahomas alcohol laws were finally rocketing into the late 20th century. After a federal judge dismissed a challenge presented by a trade group representing liquor store owners, we dont have to worry about State Question 792 getting struck down.
Liquor store owners claimed they will lose a large portion of business to grocery stores under the Fourteenth Amendments equal protection clause, but when isnt the Fourteenth Amendment cited in such cases?
Besides, its not like it is time to break out a small violin for liquor stores. Theyre still the only places to buy spirits, and theyll have the better selection of beer and wine. Concessions were made in SQ 792 to allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays and supplement income by selling non-drink options like cheese, limes and other accoutrements.
Many of those same liquor store owners enjoy shopping at Trader Joes and might like a Costco Wholesale in Oklahoma. Though Trader Joes has never acknowledged it publicly, its highly unlikely that they wouldve moved into the Oklahoma market without the prospect of changed legislation. We need our two-buck chuck!
Its rumored that Costco has balked at not being able to sell its Kirkland brand wine in Oklahoma. With smooth sailing for the law to go into effect in October 2018, we can hope that a Costco joins Trader Joes and expands into OKC, helping us further enjoy the freedom to buy booze in many places that others have been enjoying for awhile.