Buying beer from the grocery store in Utah just got easier as the state joins the growing trend of grocers and legislators finding ways to expand alcohol sales.
Under the state’s annual revisions to its liquor bill, grocery stores as well as other off-premise beer retailers can now “sell, offer for sale, or furnish beer” at drive-through windows and designated drive-up loading areas or parking stalls.
On Monday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law.
The updated bill, which takes effect May 7, will allow shoppers to include beer in their online pickup orders and have the alcohol brought out to their cars with their other grocery items. Under current law, shoppers are required to go into the store to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Utah grocers should be aware, however, that to legally supply their parked shoppers with beer, the customer must purchase ahead of time and park in the “designated parking stall,” per the bill.
The change in Utah comes as states generally have relaxed alcohol laws in recent years to allow grocers to sell more types of alcoholic beverages.
Like Utah, Pennsylvania also eased up on limitations on grocery alcohol sales. Last summer, the state’s governor signed a law that amends Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code to allow establishments like restaurants and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink cocktails. Previously, only state-owned liquor and wine stores could sell canned cocktails in the state.
In states that haven’t updated their regulations recently, grocers have gotten creative. Hy-Vee, Southeastern Grocers, Food Lion, Fareway, Publix and ShopRite operate stand-alone liquor stores to work around state restrictions.
