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Sunday sales sought again
Drive up the Cleveland Highway each Sunday, just across the Tennessee state line, and you’ll see them.
“That first little (convenience) store there. It seems like every car in the parking lot has a Georgia tag,” said Ted Young, manager of the Knob North Korner Market in Cohutta.
What brings them there? Alcohol may be part of the answer. Tennessee allows the package sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Georgia is one of just three states that don’t. But that may change this year.
A bill before the Legislature would allow local communities to permit package sales on Sunday if voters approve the idea in a referendum.
“It’ll help the businesses in this area because there are a lot of people in this area that go to Tennessee to buy their beverages on Sunday,” said Ben Manis, owner of Manis Grocery in Cohutta.
Many communities in Georgia, including Dalton, currently allow the sale of alcohol by the drink on Sunday.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, is the author of the House of Representatives version of the bill. He says it doesn’t make sense that someone can drink alcohol in a restaurant or bar on Sunday but they can’t pick up a bottle to take home.
“We feel pretty confident it will pass if it gets to the floor of the House,” he said.
A similar bill passed the House Regulated Industries committee last year but did not get out of the House Rules committee. Williams said he doesn’t think that will happen this year.
“Last year was an election year, and the leadership didn’t think it was a good time to vote on it,” he said.
Further, lawmakers are trying to cut a $2.6 billion budget deficit and additional revenue from alcohol taxes might help, Williams said.
Sen. Don Thomas, R-Dalton, says he isn’t sure how the Senate will vote but he will “probably vote against it.”
“I agree with the governor,” he said. “People have plenty of opportunities to buy alcohol during the rest of the week. We should leave Sunday alone. But the good thing about the bill is that it would allow Sunday sales only if the voters approve of it. I’m in favor of letting people vote on things like that.”
That raises another issue. Even if the Legislature passes the bill, Gov. Sonny Perdue has said he opposes Sunday alcohol sales.
“We spoke to the governor the other day. He didn’t indicate he would definitely veto it but he said ‘You know how I feel,’” said Williams.
Young says he isn’t currently open on Sundays and won’t open on Sunday even if the bill becomes law. Manis said he isn’t open on Sunday now but has been considering opening on Sunday regardless of whether the bill passes.
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Kayla Webb, 15, performs a cheer with the varsity and junior varsity members of the North Murray cheerleading team Wednesday as they walk laps around the track at Murray High School. The team is getting ready for their first game of the season, scheduled for Aug. 20, a scrimmage against Murray High. Matt Hamilton/The Daily Citizen
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