On Tuesday, March 7, Governor Dayton signed a bill legalizing Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota, despite reservations. Governor Dayton remarked, ?ÄúThis new law reflects the desires of most people in Minnesota.?Äù This will be the first time in Minnesota history that liquor will be allowed to be sold on Sundays.
In speaking with local liquor store owners, they don?Äôt all share the governor?Äôs sentiments. John Bolvin, owner of JB Offsale Liquor in Kimball, is not a proponent of the new law. He feels the law forces him to either be open on Sunday or risk losing customers. He will have to hire someone to work the 11 a.m.-6 p.m. shift even though he does not expect to gain much additional revenue by being open on Sunday. The new law may make more sense for border cities close to Wisconsin or North Dakota to be open on Sundays, but not many folks in Stearns County will likely be heading for the borders on Sunday for beer.
Tina Loff, owner of Watkins Liquor Warehouse, concurred with John. Her feeling is that she will probably sell the same amount of liquor, but it will be spread out over seven days rather than six. Tina and her husband Les haven?Äôt made a final decision yet on what the plans are for Sunday sales. She feels her liquor store has a very loyal customer base. She may poll her regulars to see how they feel. The store may be open on Sundays with shortened hours, maybe 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nothing final has been determined at this point.
Julann Albright, representing Valley Liquor Warehouse, stated no decisions have been made at this point. The owners of the liquor store have not yet had a chance to sit down to discuss the plans for how Sunday sales will be handled.
Thais Kiffmeyer from DeLux Liquor in Luxemburg said she is waiting to see what happens. She and her partners are polling customers as they come in to make purchases. In the end, they will do what they feel their customers want.
The first year will be the test. Liquor stores may find they don?Äôt need to be open on Sundays. Some may only be open on holiday weekend Sundays. It will be a year of transition. Living in Minnesota and not being able to purchase liquor on Sunday has become a way of life for most. Maybe it won?Äôt be a big deal and purchasing patterns won?Äôt change much, but local liquor stores may not have the luxury to wait and see. They will need to make a decision on whether to hire additional personnel and open on Sundays or risk losing sales.