Two months after Emporia voters chose to allow Sunday alcohol sales at businesses in town, local retailers are gauging the success they’ve seen thus far.
The jury is still out on whether it’s been an overwhelming success for retailers like Reeble’s Country Mart. Manager Gary Andrews says more people have become aware that they can buy alcohol on Sundays but isn’t sure it’s impacting overall buying habits.
The same is the case for liquor store owners, who prior to the Sunday alcohol sales ordinance were closed for business. Ozzy’s Get-N-Go Liquor Store Owner Russ Osborn says Sunday sales have been good but can’t tell how much it’s impacted Saturday sales which had traditionally been pretty steady.
Osborn says if there’s one thing he could tweak it would be the ability to be open on some holidays.
Currently as written, Sunday sales are allowed from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. but that excludes holidays such as Christmas Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day or Independence Day.
The new ordinance took effect Aug. 19 after voters approved it by a nearly 6-to-4 margin in the August primary election.
