District Readies for Sunday Liquor Sales

Graham: "Why should somebody who lives in D.C. who wants to buy spirits on a Sunday have to go to Maryland to do that?"

District liquor stores have begun submitting applications to sell alcohol on Sundays.

Five local liquor stores submitted applications Wednesday, the first day they were able to -- and D.C.'s first Costco is among them, the Washington Post reports.

The other four applicants thus far, according to the Post, are Uncle Lee’s Seafood (1102 Eastern Ave. NE), Cairo Liquor Store (1618 17th St. NW), Dennies Market (5000 Benning Road SE), and AM Wine Shoppe (2122 18th St. NW).

"I think it's great," one shopper told News4. "It definitely opens up the options. You don't have to rush in on Saturday night to buy liquor if you want to."

Mayor Vincent Gray signed the bill Tuesday, which was penned by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham and approved by the D.C. Council last month.

Proponents say the new law could bring in millions in tax revenue, and keep profits from leaking into Maryland or Virginia.

The owner of Paul's Liquors on Wisconsin Avenue said he plans to submit an application because it will help busy customers find the time to shop.

"It's just our lifestyles, running around here... [they] don't have time, so the more hours [we're] open, the more business [we'll] do," he told News4's Darcy Spencer.

The new law brings the District into line with 37 states that also permit Sunday sales.

"It's really, for me, a consumer issue," Graham said. "You know, why should somebody who lives in D.C. who wants to buy spirits on a Sunday have to go to Maryland to do that?"

Others expressed concerns over the increased ability to buy -- and drink -- alcohol.

"I think that selling alcohol Monday through Saturday is good enough," said Darrell Rose with Ward 7 Safe and Drug-Free Communities Coalition. "We have a lot of youth in our ward in particular, Ward 7, that have problems with alcohol."

Liquor stores that submit applications to sell on Sundays will have to go through an approval process.

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