Sunday Alcohol Sales: Drinkers Yea, Sellers Nay

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – Connecticut residents should be able to buy a six-pack of beer or a bottle of wine on Sunday, as Rick Fiocco sees it. 

“People drink on weekends," the 43-year-old Cheshire resident said as he walked along Elm Street on a chilly Wednesday evening. "An example is Super Bowl Sunday. I just don’t think it’s [Sunday sales] a bad idea.”

Fiocco and the rest of the state's residents might soon be able to buy alcohol on Sundays if Gov. Dannel Malloy wins passage of his proposal to do away with the prohibition.

Proponents say it will increase sales for state retailers and keep Connecticut shoppers home rather than see them driving to New York and other border states to get their alcohol.

Terry Dinan, 38, of New Canaan, said he’d enjoy the chance to buy a pack of his favored Dogfish Head Beer locally rather than have to drive to Vista, N.Y., on Sundays. As sports fans have impromptu get-togethers to watch football, he said, they want to make sure there’s a good supply of beverages on hand.  

“I’m all for it,” Dinan said, escaping from the chill at the New Canaan Starbucks. “The Sunday law is an antiquated law. It goes back to a different time and era.”

Rick Franco, co-owner of Franco’s Wine on Elm Street, doubts Sunday sales is a good idea but he says his store will have enough staff to handle Sunday traffic. Franco supports those who oppose lifting the blue laws, but adds that “whatever [Malloy] wants to do, we’re ready for it.” He says he would be open reduced hours on Sundays.

Jeff Barbour, owner of New Canaan Wine Merchants on Pine Street, also would open on a limited basis on Sundays, but he’s not big on opening for a second weekend day. Barbour says sales the store normally makes over six days will now be spread out over seven. He added that Malloy’s proposal is banking on Sunday shopping at grocery stores and supermarkets. 

 

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