Community Corner

Sunday Liquor Sales Referendum Draws Buckhead Support

Voters should have the right to decide, residents say

Buckhead residents and business owners praised passage of legislation that could lead to Sunday liquor sales at supermarkets and liquor stores.

The Georgia House Tuesday approved legislation calling for local referendums on Sunday liquor sales. The bill now goes to Gov. Nathan Deal, who has said he would sign it into law.

Walter Eisenberg, owner of Pearson’s Wine and Liquor in Buckead, said “I’m glad it finally happened. People should have the right to buy whatever they want.”

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He said he expects his store, with its large selection and knowledgeable staff, will benefit if voters approve Sunday liquor sales. But he said the legislation “does create a major problem” for “mom and pop” shops and family-owned liquor stores.

“In order to compete, they will have to stay open seven days a week and that creates a huge burden on them,” Eisenberg said.

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He expects the legislation to boost his sales. “Our business appeals to a wider range of customers. We’re going to do very well, primarily because of the number of people who live outside the city of Atlanta.”

If Sunday liquor sales are allowed, people living outside of the city will want to come to Buckhead on Sundays, when traffic is less, he said. He expects suburban residents to shop at his store on Sundays two or three times a year and have brunch at local restaurants and visit other stores.

Nick Smart, owner of the UPS Store at Chastain Square in North Buckhead,  said he strongly supports a referendum on the issue. "It's all good," he said. "The liquor stores don't like it, because they have to open on Sundays and compete with supermarkets. That's the only reason it hasn't passed before."

When asked if he supports a referendum, he replied, “Absolutely — They should be given the opportunity to decide.”

North Buckhead resident John Troncalli said “I honestly think I should have the right to vote, whether I want it or don’t want it. I don’t really think any other group should decide for me. If they don’t want it, they can vote against it. If they don’t want to buy it, they don’t have to.”

Troncalli said Sunday liquor sales actually will cut down on drunk driving. “It’s a lot safer to drink at home,” he said, rather than go to a restaurant and have several drinks and then drive home. He said he looks forward to the convenience of being able to go out on Sundays and buy alcoholic beverages in case guests arrive.

Dr. Gil Watson, pastor of Northside Drive United Methodist Church, said “whether or not they sell alcohol on Sunday shouldn’t affect our Christianity at all.” Watson said about the ban on Sunday liquor sales, “It was a perfectly good law in its time when we were limited in what we could do and where we could go. In today’s world, there are people with a lot of different tastes.”


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