73°
Repealing the ban on Sunday sales of beer, wine and liquor is back on the legislative table in Connecticut, thanks to state Rep. Kathy Tallarita, D-Enfield. But southern Fairfield County residents and business owners expressed mixed feelings about the possible change.
"I can't see how not letting that happen makes much of a difference," said Ben Mickelson, a Greenwich resident. "If people want to drink, they'll drink."
Katherine C. Stephens, co-proprietor of the Study Fine Wine and Spirits in the Banksville section of Greenwich, said the repeal might hurt her small shop. "Mom-and-pop stores like mine would feel the pressure to be open on Sunday, and then we'd have to hire someone or work the extra day," she said, adding that the expenses wouldn't make it worthwhile. "If it goes through, I probably wouldn't open."
Other owners of small wine and liquor shops expressed a similar sentiment. "Definitely not," Richie Watt, of Val's Discount Wine and Liquor on East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, said when asked whether he supported the proposal. "Who's going to the liquor store on a Sunday?" Another employee, Jon Rick, said he also opposed a repeal: "It's my day off!"
However, Ilya Vatman of Bellmore Wine and Liquor in Greenwich said the repeal could mean extra business. "I'd like to be open on Sunday, it's the biggest shopping day of the week," he said. "Other shops cower under the law because they don't want to work Sunday, but I feel like I'm losing out."
Connecticut is one of the few states with a ban on the sale of alcohol on Sundays, a remnant of the blue laws established to observe Sunday as a day of rest, among other religious standards.
TMcAlister, commenting on TheDailyEaston.com, said she didn't think Connecticut should repeal the ban. "I really don't believe revenue to the state will increase that significantly to lower taxes or benefit the citizens in any other way," she said. "I do believe crimes will increase because of this ban lift. Think about it, why did we have the ban in the first place?"
One resident adamantly argued against the premise of the law. "They totally should [end the ban]. Why should anyone decide what we're morally allowed to drink," said Kevin Joyce, a customer at Bellmore Wine and Liquor on Tuesday. "Just because it's Sunday, it shouldn't stop people from purchasing what they want."
Bill Wilson, manager of Horseneck Wine and Liquor in Greenwich, said he was skeptical the ban would be lifted. "Every year someone introduces a bill, and it never goes through," he said. "I wouldn't be for it, though. It can only hurt your profits with the vast influx of extra expenses it would entail."
However, Vatman said a repeal is inevitable, and he was already thinking ahead. "If I can be open on Sunday and need a day off, I'll just close on Tuesday or Wednesday," he said.
Be part of the conversation: What do you think about ending the law banning the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Connecticut?
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
