The Nolensville Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution supporting a referendum that would allow wine in grocery stores to appear on the upcoming November ballot.
The move was sparked by recent announcements from two grocers who said they plan to build new stores in Nolensville. No details were shared about the grocers or when they plan to open.
But Nolensville does not currently allow wine sales in grocery stores.
The 2014 state law that allows grocery stores to sell wine requires a municipality to approve the sale of wine in grocery stores through a referendum vote. Before a municipality can hold a Wine in Grocery Stores (“WIGS”) referendum, it must already have approved retail packaging and/or liquor per drink.
Nolensville approved both measures during previous votes.
“Since WIGS went into effect in 2016, grocers across Tennessee have enjoyed the convenience of buying wine where they buy their food,” said Rob Ikard, president of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association. “Nolensville shoppers look forward to the same convenience when their new grocery stores open.”
For a WIGS referendum to be considered for the November election, registered voters in Nolensville must file a petition requesting the measure. Referendum supporters are currently seeking the required signatures from the city’s voters for the petition. The goal is to collect at least 10% of as many signatures from registered voters in Nolensville as there were voters in the last gubernatorial election.
But knowing a signature-gathering campaign is underway, the board acknowledged it wanted to throw its support behind the referendum and put the issue of wine in food stores before Nolensville voters, members said earlier this month.
“Until Nolensville voters approve a WIGS referendum, there will be no wine in Nolensville grocery stores,” Ikard said. “So voters should engage signature gatherers at the first opportunity, and they should be confident that they will vote in November.”
Registered voters in the Nolensville city limits can ask to sign a petition or offer to host a signature collection event.
Autographs will also be collected during Nolensville’s annual Star Spangled Celebration on June 29 at Nolensville High School.
For more information about the referendum, visit www.tngrocer.org/WIGS.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nolensville board backs November wine referendum, petition pending
