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DrGeraldBaskums t1_j8r43vz wrote

Reply to comment by AHoneyNamedRenee in Costco? by AHoneyNamedRenee

No Phreds was grandfathered in and could sell liquor whenever. CVS bought them out.

I believe Costco is the largest individual chain/seller of booze in America. It’s kind of their thing.

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kayakyakr t1_j8rhe87 wrote

They also open separate but attached liquor stores anywhere the laws don't allow them to sell liquor in the warehouse. You doing even have to be a member to shop at the liquor stores.

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JPLemme t1_j8rszq8 wrote

That's not quite right. CVS bought their pharmacy, but not the liquor license. A company called Lancran purchased the remainder thinking the license would transfer. Wines and More sued saying that license was terminated when Phred's was sold, and won the lawsuit on 1-AUG-2019.

(I'm paraphrasing--it was something about Class A and E licenses being split, yada yada. Feel free to read the decision here: https://dbr.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur696/files/documents/decisions/CL_Decision-WinesAndMore.pdf)

It does explain why for several years the building and sign were still standing but with the words "Food" and "Drugs" pried off (but "Liquor" still there).

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