Beer and wine vending machines may be on the way
Imagine running out of adult beverages but having to run no further than the lobby of your condominium building to buy some more.
That dream could become a reality now that a Coral Gables marketer will apparently be allowed to install beer and wine vending machines in Florida condo buildings — over the objections of major beer and wine lobbies.
Vending machines that dispense spirits are becoming more common around the country, but mostly in establishments such as restaurants or bars that already sell alcohol.
Anheuser-Busch InBev recently introduced BeerBox for use at concerts, sports arenas and music festivals.
How quickly La Galere Markets of Coral
Gables will offer beer and wine at its mini marts in Florida remains to be seen. The company must still apply for an alcoholic beverage sales license.
Booze vending machines are closer to reality because the 1st District Court of Appeal last week overturned the state’s 2017 denial of La Galere’s bid to install them in residential condominium developments.
La Galere had applied to the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for an OK to offer beer and wine at its so-called self-checkout mini-marts — which also sell snacks, sandwiches, personal care products and household goods — in the developments.
The company proposed security measures to ensure only pre-registered residents over 21 could access the machines using key fobs and fingerprints.
La Galere pointed out that its screening process would be more secure than alcohol sales in mini bars in hotel rooms, which are not supervised by hotel employees.
In a public hearing by the division, La Galere’s petition was opposed by several trade groups, including the Beer Industry of Florida, Florida Beer Wholesalers Association Inc., and Florida Independent Spirits Association.
The division issued a final order finding that Florida law did not specifically prohibit alcoholic beverage sales in vending machines.
But in its Jan. 31 opinion, the appellate court struck down the division’s order, finding that “nothing in the plain language [of Florida law] prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages through automated dispensing machines.”