Shelton Reacts: Sunday Liquor Sales

The state House of Representatives and Senate both ending the state's ban on Sunday liquor sales, and while customers may be celebrating, local business owners are not.

According to the Connecticut Mirror, the bill allows liquor permittees to sell alcohol from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, as well as on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, and on Mondays following a Christmas or New Year's Day holiday that falls on a Sunday.

The general consensus amongst liquor store owners in is that being open seven days a week and on holidays will not boost business. In fact, some fear it may have a negative effect. Here's what some of them had to say about the bill:

Mitul Patel,

"We don’t like it [the bill]; we are against it. I don’t think it will do any good because usually on Saturdays, downtown Shelton is basically quiet in the afternoon. A lot of businesses are closed and there aren't that many people shopping. But of course we will be open the extra day because we have a lot of competition going on. I'm not going to let my customers go to other stores.

It's tough only having one day off, and then a small store like us -- we can't afford more employees so it's already been tough."

Ed Cammany,

"No, we are not excited about this at all. I don't think it will help the business because if people aren't going to buy on Saturday, they're going to buy on Sunday. The one day will just spread sales out over the weekend, not bring more in. This bill is not going to help anybody.

Plus, there is no liquor tax in Massachusetts. That's a big part of the reason people go across state lines and they'll continue to because it's cheaper."

Alay Patel,

"From an owner’s standpoint I’m not for it. It won’t generate satisfactory sales to balance out the cost it takes to keep the store open all week."

Gov. Malloy released a statement pledging to sign the bill but said he felt there was more the legislature could do to lower the state's liquor prices, which would help those small business owners not looking forward to changing their hours of operation.

"I continue to believe there’s more we can do to lower the cost to consumers in our state. I look forward to the study proposed by the legislature. It’s a good first step and one that I hope lays the foundation for future action. This much is clear – the more we can lower prices for consumers, the more competitive our businesses will be."