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Did you remember to write your grocery list today? Got the milk? The cereal? The smoked turkey? The pre-shopping freshly poured pint of microbrew beer? You heard right. Whole Foods has implemented something that will make buying the groceries the most desired of the chores: in-store bars.

USA Today reports that in the last 18 months, Whole Foods has opened up bars in pre-existing stores concentrating in local brews and beverages in five California locations and two each in Arizona, Illinois and Texas. There also is a newly opened bar in its flagship store in Austin, Texas. The bars are fairly small seating only around 20-30 people and are located in the wine and beer sections of the stores. Beer and wine by the glass is offered for $4-$10 and growlers are also available. The company hopes to open at least seven more in-store pubs by 2012.

Grocery industry analysts are reportedly pro bar, theorizing that bars will draw people into the stores and keep them coming back. They will also boost in-store beer and wine sales. While there is the fear that the bars will create a rowdier atmosphere (think the baking aisle turning into frat row), there have been no reports of any such behavior and carding for government IDs is enforced. Of course after a couple of pints you may find that your grocery list of necessary items is lacking in what you crave at the moment. Cheese sticks and bacon, anyone?

This development means that the company is walking in stride with other companies that are branching out into the realm ofboozy beverages like Walmart with its line of wine and beer and Starbucks, which has recently been testing beer and wine at some of their Seattle area locations. Having experienced grocery shopping after a visit to one of Whole Foods' California in-store bar locations, we can safely say that it certainly made buying meatloaf a lot more enjoyable. Have you visited one of the locations yet? What do you think about bars in grocery stores?

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