Liquor Sales Staying Strong On Sundays

 It's been nearly 2 months since Sioux Falls customers were first allowed to purchase more than just beer on Sundays.

The Sioux Falls city council changed the restriction in November to allow sales of wine and hard liquor every day of the week.

David Zoelle has been a lover of wine for many years, so when he got the call that his family would be getting together today, he knew just what to pick up. 

"I didn't have any wine at my house so I came down here to buy some wine for the Birthday party. Can't buy it in Brookings on Sundays, " said Zoelle.

Zoelle says this convenience is important, and retailers agree. Kathy Alwin is the assistant General Manager at World Market in Sioux Falls, and she says her store used to have to turn customers like Zoelle away. Now they can happily allow him to purchase his gift on a Sunday.

"Our customers are so happy especially those who live out of town. They want to get their wine, it's been such a nice convenience for everyone that's come in," said Alwin.

Alwin says half of their business is selling specialty wines from this part of the store and by allowing them to sell all week long, the law's change helps boost business.

"We get a lot of Minnesota customers since we are so close to the border and obviously they can't buy wine on Sundays so we get that business," said Alwin.
 
And for Zoelle, it's a matter of picking up a last minute gift without having to check the calendar.

"It is a big deal. You can get it when you need to and sometimes you don't always know to stock up on Friday so it's a big deal," said Zoelle.

For retailers and consumer's alike, the change in law is a "wine" glass half full.

Since 2002, 13 states, have repealed "blue laws" restricting liquor sales on Sundays, while 15 others, still have the laws on the books.