Sunday Liquor Sales Back on Tap in MN Legislature
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 9:36pm
By:
Andrew Lovelette
Photojournalist:
Adam Jagunich
FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT
DULUTH - Minnesota is one of only 12 states that still bans the sale of liquor on Sundays, but that could change if some Minnesota legislators have their way.
"We know all of us have probably gone over the bridge to make a purchase. So, that means sales lost in Minnesota and that means tax revenue lost in Minnesota," said Sen. Roger Reinert (DFL-Duluth).
Sen. Reinert's bill would allow off–site liquor sales on Sundays and some holidays, but doesn't require businesses to be open on Sundays.
Reinert said, "Nothing forces a business to be open. Now, somebody else may be and you'll have to figure out how that impacts your business."
But that's exactly what worries Katie Hagglund, whose family owns Last Chance Liquor in Duluth.
Hagglund said, "If we close our doors on Sunday and they keep their doors open how are we to assure ourselves that our customer who goes there on Sunday is going to come back here on Monday?"
Hagglund says her store would simply be spreading six days of sales over seven days and any law change could create unwanted competition.
"It's not an issue of me wanting a day off. It's not an issue of me not understanding it's a consumer friendly bill. It's how can I compete when it's easier to do one–stop shopping at some of these bigger retail stores," said Hagglund.
Across the bridge in Superior, off–site liquor sales are allowed seven days a week.
But Wisconsin liquor store owner, Mark Casper says Sundays might not be as busy as some may think.
"Friday, Saturday, Thursday's the next busiest and then Sunday's number four, in terms of sales," said Casper.
Back in Minnesota, Reinert says while the bill will be one of the simpler bills introduced this session, it faces tough opposition from liquor stores, which have a full–time lobbyist at the capitol every day.
"Minnesotans are used to shopping ahead of time. It's the same reason we buy cars Monday through Saturday and it's the same reason you get to your bank before six o'clock," said Hagglund.