The Massachusetts Package Stores Association (MASSPACK) has represented locally owned Massachusetts retailers of beer, wine, and spirits since 1942. MASSPACK achieves its motto of “Strength in Unity” by advocating on legislative and judicial matters while supporting a responsible marketplace and public safety. Another focus is educating stakeholders about the positive and economic impacts of local package store’s, including their essential role as a gatekeeper against underage drinking, illegal sales, and over-consumption.
Safeguarding Public Safety
MASSPACK works with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that retailers of beer, wine and spirits can safely meet consumer needs. Meanwhile, the beverage alcohol three-tier system of Massachusetts is being disrupted by large suppliers, brewers, out of state headquartered retail chains, and out of state shippers. MASSPACK defends against these industry disruptors on behalf of locally owned stores.
Advocating for Fair Play and Market Stability
Testifying at over a dozen hearings in 2024, MASSPACK has fought off more than one hundred and thirty bills throughout the legislative session. Many of these bills, if enacted, would directly usurp and replace locally owned alcohol retail stores across Massachusetts. While preventing harmful legislation from being passed, MASSPACK has also introduced and effectively advocated for fair play and market stability.
Enactment of H4698into law in 2024 by Governor Maura Healey is a major MASSPACK and industry advocacy accomplishment that helps the ABCC police against illegal shipments of wine that has been routinely bootlegged into Massachusetts by out of state-based ghost retailers.
A record number of MASSPACK bills introduced this legislative session received favorable committee reports. Two MASSPACK bills were approved by at least one legislative chamber.
Numerous monopolistic vertical integration bills from breweries, malt beverage producers and distillers were stopped throughout the session.
The Municipal Empowerment Act (S2571) was stopped, which if enacted would have repealed the local licenses quota system and replace the permanent Drinks to Go legislative settlement with unacceptable terms.
A legislative settlement was reached and included within an appropriation bill (H4582) allowing for permanent Drinks to Go that is prepared on the premises in accompaniment with an order of food for delivery. RTDs, malt beverages and wine were excluded from items that can be delivered by on-premises licensees. Brewers, wineries and distillers with on-premises licensees were also excluded from delivering RTDs, malt beverages, bottles of distilled spirits and wine. the agreement also stipulates that all licensees must secure a Section 22 permit to deliver alcohol beverages or retain a third-party delivery driver in possession of a Section 22 permit. All licensees that sell alcohol beverages will now be liable for illegal delivery of alcohol beverages.
Improving the Massachusetts Business Climate
Local retailers of alcohol beverages in Massachusetts have absorbed an unprecedented number of referendums and bills that increase labor, healthcare insurance and operating costs.
MASSPACK has educated officials and consumers throughout the legislative session about impacts from illegal direct shipping and modern day bootlegging. MASSPACK has also daylighted New Hampshire’s encouragement of cross-border sales resulting in 28% of off premise alcohol beverage sales in NH being made by Massachusetts residents.
MASSPACK continues to support local and Main Street brick and mortar businesses seeking ways that ensure Lottery ticket sales remain a sustainable source of income for local retail stores.
MASSPACK is the primary provider of Beverage Alcohol Training (BAT) and certification for beer, wine, and spirits stores in MA.
MASSPACK works with industry partners to facilitate “Pick Up Mass,” helping to remove litter across the state by educating residents not to litter while also organizing community clean-ups.
CALL (508) 366-1100 FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SUPPORTING THE MASSPACK PAC
