Mississippi Liquor Stores Run Dry Amid State Distribution Delays
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Since January, Mississippi's state liquor agency has struggled with timely deliveries after removing outdated conveyor belts at its warehouse, causing delays of up to three weeks for orders.
- Restaurants, bars, and liquor stores across Mississippi have faced shortages and empty shelves, leading to widespread frustration among business owners.
- Some stakeholders are advocating for privatizing the state-run liquor distribution system to address ongoing delivery problems.
- Anne Marie Smith, operations manager at Raines Cellars, described the situation as a "disaster" and criticized the lack of accountability from state officials despite repeated complaints.
- Delays remain significant, with orders such as Tito’s vodka taking nearly three weeks to ship from the state warehouse.
