NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Convenience store owner Jacob Husari said he was on his way to work when he learned state lawmakers would consider a bill, that, if passed, would outlaw retailers from selling cold beer.
“I was shocked,” said Husari. “What’s going on? Are they trying to put us out of business or what?”
SB 2636 was introduced by Sen. Paul Rose (R- Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton Counties). Rep. Ron Gant (R - Piperton) introduced the House version of the bill, but that version was withdrawn Wednesday. It would be a single sentence in the state code, available below.
Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, a person or entity holding a beer permit issued under this chapter shall not sell refrigerated or cold beer at retail.
The bill will soon be discussed in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
“If there’s no cold beer, nobody really buys it,” Husari said. “They like cold beer, so they can go home and drink it. What they do when they leave the store is really none of my business.”
He said by outlawing the sale of cold beer, he could lose business.
“I hope [lawmakers] think about the business owner because we’re paying taxes,” Husari said. “It’s going to hurt us, not just me. A lot of gas stations and small stores like me — not big stores like Kroger. They don’t care, they don’t have to serve beer cold, but us, it will hurt us.”
