We are a family-owned business employing some 3,400 people, operating 18 stores in Indiana and three in Michigan. In Michigan, in addition to groceries, we are able to sell beer, wine and spirits in the stores seven days a week.

This flexible approach to selling alcohol has been an economic advantage for Michigan retailers. Those visiting Michigan for the weekends can purchase all of the items they want when they want them. This is not so in Indiana. Both residents and visitors are inconvenienced by current prohibitions from purchasing alcohol on Sunday. Current Indiana law hurts Indiana businesses.

At the urging of some of our customers, Martin’s has been supportive of legislation that would permit Sunday sales of alcohol in Indiana. This would apply to all establishments with an alcoholic beverage license, not just supermarkets or package stores.

So far so good.

Unfortunately, the current legislation does not stop there. Extraordinary, unnecessary and punitive restrictions for supermarkets and other large format retailers have been included in this bill. These regulations have changed the nature of the bill from addressing when beer, wine and spirits may be sold into how those items may be sold.

Those who oppose supermarkets and others ability to sell alcohol have attached a list of costly and complex changes for some businesses selling beer, wine and spirits today. This would significantly increase cost, require substantial redesign and remodeling of our stores and greatly increase complexity for customers. Do you remember the mandatory ID checking regulation that was passed and then withdrawn just a few years ago? That is nothing compared to this. These changes are completely unnecessary. Your voice as customers has been ignored, in fact your perspective has been barely acknowledged.

Do you like the convenience of buying beer, wine and spirits from a variety of retail outlets? Do you enjoy making your selections on a self-service basis without waiting for help? Do you like the simplicity of purchasing these items along with other products? Do you like to pay for these items just like you pay for other items within an order? Would you like to purchase chilled beer and wine in supermarkets like you can in packaged liquor stores or bars?

Or, do you want to stop at another retail outlet every time you want to purchase beer, wine and spirits? Do you want to wait for a licensed clerk to be called to your order to handle the transaction? Do you want to wait for mandatory service across a counter, every time you make a selection? Do you welcome extra travel time, planning and another transaction to purchase beer, wine and spirits?

Most importantly, would you simply like to purchase beer, wine and spirits at your convenience, without having to remember what day it is?

We would urge legislators to consider customers’ interests, impact to the economy, and the costly effect of the laundry list of regulatory hoops designed to prevent retailers like Martin’s from selling alcohol based on their customers’ interests, preferences, and schedules.

HB 164 has become an unworkable mess.

Rob Bartels

President, CEO

Martin’s Super Markets, Inc.