Stores begin to sell beer

By RICHARD NILSEN, The Leader-Herald

Wal-Mart stores in Johnstown and Amsterdam recently have begun to sell beer for the first time.

Other Wal-Mart stores already have been selling beer, according to Wal-Mart.

"About 30 states allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in merchandise stores like Wal-Mart," corporate spokeswoman Ashley Hardie said. "We always follow local ordinances on the sale of alcohol."

Amsterdam Wal-Mart store Manager Scot Hummel said beer sales are "a minor part of our sales now. But when we go to a Supercenter, it will be major."

Wal-Mart will begin turning the store into a supercenter next week, Hummel said. He did not know when the work would be completed.

Johnstown store Manager Marvin Massey said his store is selling beer and wine coolers. He said sales had already doubled his expectations.

"It's amazing," Massey said. "Our customers are saying they are very glad to see it."

Massey said only certain check-out registers are allowed to handle the beer and wine sales.

"It's all under surveillance," Massey said. "We're very structured. We followed the Hannaford and Price Chopper policies on handling the sales."

Wal-Mart also is planning to build a supercenter in Gloversville off South Kingsboro Avenue Extension. When that happens, the Johnstown Wal-Mart will close, Wal-Mart representatives have said.

Jeff Chamberlaine, owner of Spirits of the Adirondacks in Johnstown, said he didn't think Wal-Mart's sale of beer and wine coolers would affect his business or other liquor stores.

"Their license is only for low- alcohol content items," Chamberlaine said. "What will be affected are discount houses and other places that just sell beer and wine coolers."

Both Wal-Mart stores applied for licenses to sell beer and wine products with the New York State Liquor Authority in February and were granted the licenses in late July, according to the authority's Web site.

Reporter Richard Nilsen can be reached at ga@leaderherald.com.