Can Bacchus Break Into Bay State Chains?

It may soon be easier to buy wine in Harvard Square if a Massachusetts ballot initiative passes this November.

Under current state law, companies can hold a maximum of three liquor licenses—a rule that prevents many grocery-store chains from selling beer, wine, and spirits. But the proposed initiative, which appears as Question 1 on ballots statewide next month, would allow licensing boards to issue as many as 2,800 additional wine permits to food stores. It would not loosen restrictions on beer or hard liquor sales.

Many of the grocery stores near the Square have actively campaigned for the passage of the initiative.

The Whole Foods Market on River Street will definitely apply for a license if the initiative passes, according to the chain’s executive coordinator of operations, Chris Snell.

And Shaw’s, which owns the Star Market on Beacon Street in Somerville and the Shaw’s in Porter Square, will also probably apply, said Judy Chong, a spokeswoman for Shaw’s.

Shaw’s has contributed over $750,000 to the “Yes on 1: Grocery Stores and Consumers for Fair Competition” Committee, according to the company’s filings with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. The committee’s biggest donor is Stop & Shop, which has contributed $2.17 million, according to public filings.

While grocery stores almost certainly could apply for licenses under the initiative, it is unclear whether the proposal applies to convenience stores.

The website for “Yes on 1” says that “since most convenience stores do not carry the full range of food products sold at grocery stores, they would not qualify for a wine-only license.”

But earlier this month, Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin told the State House News Service that he thinks the initiative would include convenience stores. “There’s no requirement of quantity and no requirement as to the size of the premise,” he said.

A spokesman for the CVS Corp., Mike DeAngelis, said that CVS will only decide whether or not to apply for a license if the initiative passes. The pharmacy chain already sells wine and beer in several other states.

Some of the stores that already have liquor licenses oppose the new measure.

Frances R. Cardullo, the owner of Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe on Brattle Street, said the measure would benefit large corporations, while hurting small businesses like hers.

“They’re just being greedy,” she said.

C’est Bon, which already sells liquor from its Mass. Ave. store, also opposes the initiative, posting two “Vote No on Question 1” signs on its front window.

The 7-Eleven on Mt. Auburn Street, which already sells beer and wine, also could lose business if the initiative passes, its manager, He Herbita, said.

Even if the initiative passes, it is unclear how many licenses will be issued to Harvard Square businesses.

Based on Cambridge’s population, the proposed law would allow for up to 25 new licenses.

But in 1986, the Cambridge License Commission (CLC) capped the number of licenses that could be issued to businesses in the Square unless there is an “extraordinary public need” for a new license.

CLC Executive Officer Elizabeth Y. Lint said if the initiative passes, the commission will decide whether to approve license applications based on the potential harm to the area, the extent of demand, and the level of local support.

—Staff writer Stephanie S. Garlow can be reached at sgarlow@fas.harvard.edu.