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Retail trade group backs bill to limit concentration of off-premise liquor licenses
Summary
The Massachusetts Packaged Stores Association supported H4597 to bar new off-premise alcohol retail licenses within 500 feet of existing stores after 2026, citing concerns about oversaturation, store viability and youth access; the witness said the bill preserves existing licenses and local authority.
George Cronin of the Massachusetts Packaged Stores Association told the committee H4597 would prohibit issuance after 2026 of new off-premise alcohol retail licenses within 500 feet of an existing store, arguing that high outlet density creates public-health and marketplace challenges and threatens store viability.
Cronin said Massachusetts already has "more than 3,200 retail liquor stores" and that urban areas like Boston and Cambridge have particularly high concentrations, which he said is inconsistent with the state quota that assigns one off-premise license per 5,000 residents. He said the bill would not disturb existing licenses and would preserve local licensing authority while supporting neighborhood stability.
The committee heard the testimony and no vote was taken.
