Coming Soon: Sunday Liquor Sales?

Margarita Monday, Tequila Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Franzia Friday, Smirnoff Saturday… Minnesotans may soon be able to add, say, Sangria Sunday to the list.

Sunday liquor sales have been banned in the state for more than 80 years, but a vote by the Minnesota House on Monday could repeal the “blue law.”

While this is not the first attempt to uncork the historic ban, there is growing confidence among legislators, on both sides of the aisle, that the state is ready for the change. An article published last month by the Pioneer Press and a more recent one from yesterday confirm consumers and retailers are also ready.

According to polling, Minnesotans have long supported rescinding the Sunday prohibition.

Opponents, which include unions, feel the consequences outweigh the “convenience for consumers.”  

Lifting the ban could harm municipal liquor stores, which provide funds to local communities, and small businesses, which would feel competitive pressure to operate seven days a week, like the bigger stores do or face closure, they say.

But the ability to buy and sell liquor on Sundays doesn’t force anyone to do so. It just becomes a decision the individual, not the government, can make for himself.  

And besides, how nice would it be to give business owners the opportunity to open more stores, hire more employees, and not lose sales to liquor runs across the border.

I’ll drink to that.