-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of David
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 11:34 AM
To: 'The Sandbox Discussion List'
Subject: RE: [Sndbox] Liquor stores are running lowThat's terrible. :-)David L.
Ben Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt, they have more need of masters.”
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Charles
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 3:43 PM
To: 'The Sandbox Discussion List'
Subject: [Sndbox] Liquor stores are running lowLiquor stores are running low
State ABC hopes to resume shipping spirits next week
THE SUN HERALD
It's been two weeks since South Mississippi liquor stores, restaurants and bars received shipments of spirits from Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the empty store shelves are evidence of the dry spell.
"Our shelves are bare," said Marti Capsis, manager of Liquors Unlimited in Pascagoula. "We're out of about 10 brands."
The ABC, which is the sole supplier of liquor for all Mississippi stores, halted sales on Oct. 17. ABC officials said the stoppage was necessary in order to repair the computer system at its warehouse near Jackson.
Ed Buelow Jr., chairman of the Mississippi Tax Commission, which oversees the ABC, at first said he hoped the work could be completed in a week, but the repairs dragged on. The ABC started testing its computer system Thursday in hopes of resuming liquor shipments early next week.
Liquor stores, which were notified a few days before the shutdown, placed larger-than-usual orders. Some liquor stores place orders every weekday to keep popular brands of spirits on their shelves.
"Liquor stores are not like other retail stores that have huge supplies of stock," said Marta Williams, owner of Fort Bayou Wine and Spirits in Ocean Springs. "It's like having to go to the grocery store every day to keep our stock up."
Despite placing a large order before Oct. 17, Williams said Fort Bayou has run out of about 30 brands, from fine wines to discount priced vodka.
"It's been a challenge all around," Williams said. "I'm OK, but I feel sorry for the smaller stores."
Some liquor store owners and employees have taken out their frustrations on the ABC, saying the situation shows the state shouldn't be a wholesaler.
"It's just darn inconvenient," Capsis said. "But at least I'm glad it's happening now and not during the holidays, when we do a lot of business."
Small restaurants and bars are now having to pay retail prices for spirits, and some popular well brands, such as Aristocrat vodka and Canadian Mist whisky, have sold out.
"It has been difficult and costly," said Amy Begaz of Adventures Bar & Grill, a downtown Biloxi watering hole popular with casino and restaurant employees. "We've had to juggle around and go from liquor store to liquor store. A lot of people drink down here."
Jim Ward, an employee at Shawn's Petit Bois Liquor Store in Biloxi, said he hopes the ABC starts shipping spirits soon.
"Things are starting to diminish," he said. "If nothing happens by the end of next week, we'll be in dire straits."
Timothy Boone can be reached at 896-2358 or at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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