Group petitions for alcohol sales on Sundays

Indiana is one of only 15 states that prohibits the sale of carry-out alcohol on Sundays.

But Hoosiers for Beverage Choices wants to change that.

The statewide grassroots coalition wants grocery, convenience and drug stores to sell cold beer. They have posted an online petition to change the Sunday alcohol sales law. The petition can be viewed at www.beveragechoices.com.

The group says the online petition has acquired more than 20,000 signatures and that it plans to step up it’s campaign to gather even more.

The topic didn’t come up in the last Indiana legislative session, but it could arise in future sessions.

Senior Liz Adams said she thinks Indiana residents should be able to purchase alcohol on Sundays.

“People are usually going out to buy alcohol late Saturday night for Sunday games or cookouts,” Adams said. “So, what’s the point if people are going to drink alcohol on Sundays anyways?”

Matt Norris, lobbyist for Hoosiers for Beverage Choices, agreed that alcohol sales should be allowed Sundays.

“Sunday is the second busiest shopping day of the week, and our members want the ability to purchase alcohol when they go do the rest of their grocery shopping.”

Norris said he hopes the campaign will encourage consumers to contact their legislators.

“We hope to engage these forward-thinking consumers in the coming months so that they can discuss with their legislators the importance of these alcoholic beverage law changes,” he said.

Brad Rider, president of United Package Liquors, said he won’t support alcohol sales on Sundays and worries legalizing Sunday alcohol sales will add to his economic woes and increase problems with the law for some.

“My main concern is increased accessibility for minors,” Rider said. “If they open us up on Sundays and we happen to lose cold beer, we’re gonna be out of business.”