MAKING HISTORY WITH LIQUOR SALES ON SUNDAY
A historic first day of Sunday carryout alcohol sales, in Waynedale, and throughout Indiana, occurred on March 4, 2018. Indiana has banned Sunday liquor sales, outside of restaurants and bars, since becoming a state in 1816.
“Shoppers were really excited to be able to buy liquor today,” said Brian Busse, store manager at Kroger Store in Waynedale. “As I look at the aisles, they are doing quite well. I’m glad. It is definitely worth it to open sales for liquor on Sundays.”
At the Statehouse office, on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb placed his signature on Senate Bill 1, and then on the following Sunday sales of alcohol were allowed between noon and 8pm. The initial versions of the bill had it taking effect July 1-the date typically set for most new Indiana laws.
The new law allowed liquor stores, grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores to sell alcohol on Sundays, starting March 4th.
Hoosiers all over the state were going to the liquor stores like it was the 1800s. Here in Waynedale, area alcohol options were also busy on that first day to purchase.
“Customers are so excited about this special day! Everybody is in a happy mood!” exclaimed Dawn Gatke, manager at Belmont Beverage. “Today, we are busier than a normal work day.” Sales were up. AJ, a clerk at Belmont said, “If this keeps up we may have to hire more employees just to cover Sundays.”
“A lot of people have been coming in to be a part of history,” said Jonathan Trahin with Cap n’ Cork on Bluffton Road. “All of the Cap n’ Cork stores are open for Sunday sales,” Stephanie Simcox, also with Cap n’ Cork said. “We are selling everything. A little bit of everything, liquor, beer, wine.”
Up the street, also on Bluffton Road, at the S & V Liquor Store, a sign posted near the register read: Customers still in the S&V store may finish shopping and making purchases provided their transaction was completed by 8pm. Most stores were locking their doors at 7:45pm so that sales could be finalized before 8pm.
When asked how the Sunday sales were going, Ginger said, “A lot of customers are coming in to purchase because they can, and, taking photos. They mentioned that they were keeping their receipts for this historic occasion.”
Two customers shopping said that they felt like they “were skipping school or something.”
The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers reported that their shops were ready to serve Hoosiers on Sunday, and all the Sundays to come.
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