Poll finds Hoosiers split on Sunday alcohol sales

INDIANAPOLIS – A new statewide poll shows that Hoosiers are evenly split on whether grocery and liquor stores should be allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays as bars and restaurants do.

An Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll found that 46 percent of residents support changing the current law to allow Sunday sales, while 45 percent favor keeping the law the way it is. Nine percent were undecided.

The poll of 600 likely general election voters was conducted Oct. 29 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

State law allows alcohol sold “by the drink” in restaurants and bars and at sporting events but bans alcohol sales in grocery and liquor stores. The law could become a subject of debate in next year’s legislative session, and lobbyists are preparing to make their cases in case the issue comes up.

Package liquor stores often oppose allowing Sunday sales, saying any business gained on Sundays would be canceled out by additional payroll costs to keep the store open. Some say Sunday sales would be an unfair advantage for grocery and large convenience stores because Sunday is one of the busiest shopping days of the week.

“It’s an absolute loser for the package liquor stores,” said Jim Arnold, who owns Kahn’s Fine Wines & Spirits Superstore in Indianapolis. “There is no win. I hope it fails.”

Large retailers want to expand sales, saying it would be convenient for Sunday shoppers.

“This is all about consumer convenience and consumer choice,” said Grant Monahan, president of the Indiana Retail Council. “Sunday is the second-busiest shopping day of the week.  Hoosier families are very busy running around on the weekends, and this will help provide them with one-stop shopping.”

Ron Stakelbeck, an Indianapolis resident who participated in the poll, said he drinks alcohol on occasion but doesn’t see the need to buy it on Sunday.

“Sundays ought to be set aside as a day for God and not for indulging in physical pleasures, which includes drinking alcohol,” said Stakelbeck, 46.

But Julianne Koerner, 56, said the current law is outdated.

“I think it’s silly to believe people won’t go drink on Sundays just because they’re not selling alcohol at stores,” Koerner said. “You can go to a bar and drink on Sunday, so the rationale that we’re going to be holy on Sundays and not sell alcohol in stores is ridiculous.”