Talk of Sunday Alcohol Sales In 2009
By Barclay Bishop
WJBF News Channel 6 reporter
Published: December 20, 2008
Martinez,
GA—State Senator Seth Harp says that with the economy in a slump,
alcohol sales could bring in millions in additional tax revenue. It may
sound good to some; buy one store we talked to says it could cost him
more.
John Vaiden, Co-owner, J & L Wine and Spirits: “Not for it.
Every study I’ve seen on states that have implemented it you get less
than 2/10 of 1 percent in sales.”
He’s talking about Sunday alcohol sales.
John Vaiden is co-owner of J & L’s Wine and Spirits, in
Martinez. He says some Georgia lawmakers may not be thinking all the
way through about their choice to push for the Sunday sales in Georgia.
Vaiden: “You’re not going to grow you business. All you’re going to
do is increase your cost to do business. You’re going to have more
payrolls, higher utilities, higher insurance and everything because
you’re going to be open longer hours.So no, it’s not going to be
beneficial.”
Some customers think otherwise.
George Phillips, customer: “Sunday might add to their overhead but
the money they make on that Sunday would actually increase their
business year round.”
George Phillips says religion may be a factor to consider when thinking about Sunday sales.
Phillips: “You might want to limit your hard alcohol sales and limit
it just maybe to wines and maybe beer, versus everything to be able to
be sold on Sunday.”
Those in legislation opposed to the bill say one more day of alcohol could increase substance abuse.
Vaiden: “I don’t know if adding one day or taking one day a way
would. If someone’s going to have a problem, I don’t think Sunday’s are
going to stop or create it.”
There will always be reason why or why not to ban Sunday sales, but for Vaiden, it’s pretty clear.
Barclay Bishop, reporting: “It’s nice to have a day of rest, right?”
Vaiden: “Oh yeah, Sunday’s my family day, I like it.”
Sunday sales have failed to win legislative approval for the last 2
sessions. If the bill does pass, local governments could still
implement their own rules about the alcohol sales. Georgia is one of
only 3 states that ban stores from selling any kind of alcohol on
Sundays.
