Minnesota's liquor stores are finally going to be able to be open on Sunday's effective July 1st; we are one of the last states to fall. Local businesses have fought it for years, claiming extra labor costs without seeing an increase in sales.

The Governor has signed the law and one local business decided not to wait til July and opened today. The place was packed (which seems silly to me) and the online and TV publicity they received was somewhat over the top.

The questions I have:
- I wonder if the ownership will be fined/punished somehow. You have to believe that their lawyers gave the the okay to do this.

- What happens next Sunday? It was a major push from Target, CostCo and Total Wine that got this law changed. Will they follow along next weekend?

- What is the rule of law? This was supposed to start July 1st. Is that just a guideline?

- It is funny reading the comments after the story. Minnesota is overall a law abiding state, yet I cannot believe the number of people in support of the store that opened today.

http://www.startribune.com/sur...uor-law/415981344/#1

Surdyk's, the family-owned liquor store in northeast Minneapolis, issued a social-media blast Sunday morning saying the store would be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Yes, the 159-year-old ban on Sunday liquor sales was lifted, but the first day of legal sales was to be Sunday, July 2.

They probably figured that with the law changing the authorities will have little gusto to go after the violation.

Which they might be right, but with the government can sometimes decide to screw you if you don't respect their authority.

- UPDATE -
Just watched the story on the news.

$3500 in city fines today. Whatever this costs him, he will always be known as the business who started first. Crazy publicity here today.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
- UPDATE -
Just watched the story on the news.

$3500 in city fines today. Whatever this costs him, he will always be known as the business who started first. Crazy publicity here today.

Cheaper than a full page sunday paper ad....

quote:

- It is funny reading the comments after the story. Minnesota is overall a law abiding state, yet I cannot believe the number of people in support of the store that opened today.

I think most people just recognize how utterly antiquated and stupid this particular law, and all others of the sort are.

for people not from the area, Surdyk's is a Minneapolis institution. I haven't lived there for a long time but that was my go to place to buy liquor. Huge selection at great prices. Family owned and operated.

I've never really understood why Protestants and born-again types are so adamantly against drinking alcohol, given Jesus' first miracle.

State run stores here are closed on Sundays as well. You can still buy package liquor in bars that offer it though.

quote:

Originally posted by Chance:
for people not from the area, Surdyk's is a Minneapolis institution. I haven't lived there for a long time but that was my go to place to buy liquor. Huge selection at great prices. Family owned and operated.

And they have cheesemongers! Any cheese they have in stock, if you want a sample, they'll cut a chunk off and tell you anything you want to know about it... Nearly every time I've been there I've spent way more on cheese than booze .


As far as Sunday liquor sales - I'm not a huge drinker so that really doesn't impact me much. I won't be buying more just because they're open on Sunday.

Dry counties in Minnesota and other states seems like an even more antiquated law.

- UPDATE -

Play silly games...win silly prizes.

Owner Jim Surdyk opened his doors for business on Sunday even though Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota won’t be allowed until July 2.

30 day suspension IN July

http://www.startribune.com/loc...polis/416052964.html

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ronin1069,

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Minnesota's liquor stores are finally going to be able to be open on Sunday's effective July 1st; we are one of the last states to fall.

Probably not surprisingly, Utah liquor stores are still closed on Sundays and holidays.

Shop early and beat the rush.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I've never really understood why Protestants and born-again types are so adamantly against drinking alcohol, given Jesus' first miracle.

State run stores here are closed on Sundays as well. You can still buy package liquor in bars that offer it though.

It's the Puritan "Sabbath is holy" hangover. Known as "Blue Laws" these were intended to support religious beliefs. Strangely courts have upheld theses laws even with their Protestant religious reasons. Blue Laws are intended to keep people at home and in church.

quote:

Originally posted by Icabod:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I've never really understood why Protestants and born-again types are so adamantly against drinking alcohol, given Jesus' first miracle.

State run stores here are closed on Sundays as well. You can still buy package liquor in bars that offer it though.

It's the Puritan "Sabbath is holy" hangover. Known as "Blue Laws" these were intended to support religious beliefs. Strangely courts have upheld theses laws even with their Protestant religious reasons. Blue Laws are intended to keep people at home and in church.

All these laws do is make me plan ahead and buy twice as much booze on Saturday.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Minnesota's liquor stores are finally going to be able to be open on Sunday's effective July 1st; we are one of the last states to fall.

Probably not surprisingly, Utah liquor stores are still closed on Sundays and holidays.

Texas, too.

No alcohol sales at all before noon on Sundays, liquor stores closed all day (and unlike some states, only liquor stores can sell liquor here - not grocery stores, gas stations, etc.).

So basically, you can buy beer and wine after noon on Sundays, no liquor at all on Sundays.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat


No alcohol sales at all before noon on Sundays, liquor stores closed all day (and unlike some states, only liquor stores can sell liquor here - not grocery stores, gas stations, etc.).

So basically, you can buy beer and wine after noon on Sundays, no liquor at all on Sundays.

NC is the same way....

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
(and unlike some states, only liquor stores can sell liquor here - not grocery stores, gas stations, etc.).

Utah is the same.

In fact New Jersey is the same as well. Furthermore, beer can only be bought at liquor stores in Jersey (with the exception of packaged goods at a bar). One major plus about New Jersey though is that any restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol is BYOB. So if it suits your fancy, you can sit down with a six pack at McDonald's to go with your Big Mac and fries.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
- UPDATE -

Play silly games...win silly prizes.

Owner Jim Surdyk opened his doors for business on Sunday even though Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota won’t be allowed until July 2.

30 day suspension IN July

http://www.startribune.com/loc...polis/416052964.html

Ouch.

quote:

Originally posted by Icabod:

It's the Puritan "Sabbath is holy" hangover. Known as "Blue Laws" these were intended to support religious beliefs. Strangely courts have upheld theses laws even with their Protestant religious reasons. Blue Laws are intended to keep people at home and in church.

I, too, think that keeping people at home and in church is a good idea, but IMO they've picked the wrong vehicle to get to that end.

Here's to being Catholic! We like our booze.

(Some recruiter I'd make. )

Hey Lynchburg Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniels, is in a dry county. No alcohol sales ever.