MASSPACK represents Massachusetts headquartered beer, wine, and spirits retail stores across the state. They are the package stores, convenience stores, variety gas and mini-marts, private markets, bodegas, and wine shops who comprise the “Main Street” business districts in every Massachusetts city and town. Many of them are second and third generation family businesses. Over half are minority owned businesses. Frequently taken for granted is that these locally owned companies are invested in their communities where the role as a gatekeeper against illegal sales is taken very seriously.
Safeguarding Public Safety
The beverage alcohol three-tier system of Massachusetts has been disrupted, and is being usurped by large alcohol suppliers, brewers, out of state headquartered retail chains and out of state shipping. MASSPACK supports and upholds public safety by defending against chronic industry disruptors on behalf of locally owned stores and the communities they serve. MASSPACK works with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that alcoholic beverages retailers can continue to operate while safely meeting consumer needs.
Advocating for Fair Play and Market Stability
Testifying at over a dozen hearings in 2025, MASSPACK is fighting off more than 120 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.
H4131 - An Act relative to acceptance of certain types of identification to purchase alcohol in Massachusetts that allows retailers to rely on valid out of state drivers licenses was signed into law and became effective in 2025.
H4698 - An Act Relative to the Direct Wine Shipper License was signedinto law in 2024. H4698 is a significant advocacy accomplishment that helps the ABCC effectively police against illegal shipments of wine that has been routinely bootlegged into Massachusetts by out of state-based ghost retailers.
Numerous MASSPACK bills that help stabilize the marketplace were introduced in 2025 - 2026 legislative session. Many of these bills, including HB4355 - An Act relative to the responsible sale of alcoholic beverages that mandates beverage alcohol training for all off premises licensees, have received favorable committee reports. The work is on-going, but so far two MASSPACK bills have received a favorable vote in at least one legislative chamber.
The “9 LICENSES ARE ENOUGH” campaign in 2023 - 2025 succeeded in preventing out-of-state chains and big box retailers from gaining marketplace control through further deregulation and dismantling the local licensing and state quota systems.
MASSPACK is fighting off numerous bills directly aimed at usurping and replacing locally owned alcohol retail. Bills have been introduced that legalize ghost retail, repeal the state and local licensing quota systems, reinstate vertical integration for brewers, and repeal laws preventing marketplace domination by a few.
Out of state chain retail stores continue to openly solicit MA residents to shop for alcohol and THC drinks over the internet and across state lines enticing consumers to violate state and federal laws. MASSPACK is exposing these illicit schemes and seeking prosecution against chronic perpetrators.
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
