Support for Total Wine & More is waning in Queens

A feisty group of mom-and-pop retailers and some flip-flopping legislators are trying to thwart one of the nation’s biggest wine and liquor chains from opening in Queens, The Post has learned.

Total Wine & More, which already has one store in Long Island, is facing a flood of opposition to its application to open a second store in a long vacant Toys ‘R’ Us space in College Point, Queens.

Among the critics are a growing number of the nearly 30 legislators who originally agreed to support Total Wine’s newest store — but who changed their minds following a barrage of complaints from smaller liquor and wine retailers, according to documents and sources.

Among the lawmakers changing their tune are State Assembly members Andrew Hevesi of Forest Hills, Ron Kim of Flushing and David Weprin of Richmond Hill — all of whom have fired off letters to the New York State Liquor Authority withdrawing their support.

“It seemed innocuous at the time and I hadn’t been fully informed of the pros and cons,” Assemblyman Weprin told The Post referring to his signature on a July 31 letter to SLA chairman Vincent Bradley supporting the Queens store.

Weprin said he “hastily” signed the letter and decided to change his mind after meeting with 15 local liquor store owners in his district. “They were taking the position that this store would put them out of business,” Weprin said. “I don’t usually take a position and switch it a month later, but I decided to side with my constituents.”

It’s the latest round of attacks against the Bethesda, Md. chain, which the SLA has rejected twice from expanding in the Empire State.

Assembly member Daniel Rosenthal — who spearheaded the July 31 letter — said he is also reconsidering his support for Total Wine.

Total Wine, owned by Robert and David Trone — the latter of whom was elected to US Congress last year as a Democrat — has one store on Long Island and has been trying to open a second store for two years, including in Stony Brook and Westchester.

The company says the Queens store would be owned by Michelle Trone, daughter of the congressman, and come with a grocery store. It would promote New York wines and spirits “in ways that have not been supported by other merchants in the past” Rosenthal touted in the July 31 letter.

“You can’t have a liquor store on every block and especially one selling below cost,” said Michael Correra, executive director of Metro Package Store Association, which spearheaded the Queens campaign against Total Wine.

“It saddens me to know that entrenched political interests in New York are more important to some than merit, innovation, fair competition, consumers or the opportunity to increase female participation in an industry dominated by men,” said Michelle Trone.

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