Retail reaction is mixed toward a proposal that would allow wine and liquor to be sold on Sundays in Tennessee.
House lawmakers approved HB 1540 on Monday. It would align hours of wine sales at grocery stores with beer sales, with some exceptions. It would also allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays.
Some local liquor store owners say they are not excited about the plan.
The owner of Ashe's Wine and Spirits in West Knoxville said he doesn't think the bill would bring in any more sales.
"I was never supportive of it because as a small business owner, I didn't see any benefit to being open that extra day," Thad Cox Jr. said. "I think it would just spread the sales over three days instead of two."
If the bill becomes law, Cox said he might try opening with limited hours on Sundays, but isn't sure it will be worth it.
Grocery stores, on the other hand, are excited about the potential change.
The Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association sent us this statement: "The retail food stores of Tennessee look forward to being able to offer maximum convenience to our customers. We are optimistic that the state Senate will concur with the House's good decision to allow seven day sales of wine starting January 1."
The bill includes the following provisions:
- permits liquor stores to immediately begin operating seven days a week;
- delays Sunday wine sales in grocery stores until Jan. 1;
- allows retail package stores and food stores to operate from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays;
- places caps on the number of licenses for liquor stores for three years; and
- allows liquor stores to mark up their products 10 percent.
Current law prohibits wine and liquor to be sold on major holidays and between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Monday.
The Senate is expected to take it up later this week. Both chambers would have to agree on the legislation, which would then go to Gov. Bill Haslam for his signature.