Indiana Moves Closer to Sunday Alcohol Sales

Business coalition formed to advocate for change to liquor laws.

December 03, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS – Some prominent Indiana business groups are forming a new coalition in an effort to legalize Sunday alcohol sales at groceries, drugstores and liquor and convenience stores, according to news reports. Hoosiers for Sunday Sales, a coalition of consumers and retailers from across Indiana, kicked off a campaign yesterday in support of legislation to allow expanded alcohol sales on Sundays.

The group already has support from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Retail Council, which represents grocery stores, illustrating the renewed momentum for those who want to repeal the Prohibition-era ban on carryout alcohol sales.

According to news reports, a recent WISH-TV/Ball State Hoosier Survey found that more than 52% of Indiana residents support an expansion of Sunday alcohol sales, while about 46% of those surveyed oppose the change.

Alcohol sales are handled differently in each of the 50 states, but Indiana has some of the broadest Sunday restrictions — the prohibition of beer, wine and liquor sales at grocery, convenience and package liquor stores. Grocery and convenience stores have tried for years to end the ban, but those efforts have been met with stiff resistance from package liquor store owners, who argue it would give nationally owned grocery stores an advantage and drive smaller, locally owned package liquor stores out of business. Various religious and social groups also oppose the change because it would increase the availability of alcohol.

As a result, public policy committee chairmen in the Indiana House and Senate have killed bills that would have allowed Sunday sales for the past seven years. But that could change during the upcoming legislative session.

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