City bellies up to Sunday liquor buzz

Lawrence joins other municipalities in studying seven-day-a-week alcohol sales

Dan Blomgren doesn’t sell liquor on Sundays.

But he would if he could.

“I pay bills seven days a week,” said Blomgren, owner of Lawrence’s Cork & Barrel liquor stores. “I pay rent seven days a week. Why not let me open up?”

State law doesn’t allow him to, but legislators could change the situation soon. And a growing number of cities in Kansas are passing ordinances to permit the practice.

Lawrence could join the list. City commissioners will receive a report on their options as soon as next week.

The report was requested by Commissioner Mike Rundle, who asked for it at the behest of a Lawrence liquor store owner.

“I really haven’t formed an opinion on it yet,” Rundle said. “It seems if other communities are moving in that direction, it’s logical that Lawrence would follow in that same path.”

Last year, voters in Wyandotte County and Edwardsville approved Sunday sales of package liquors. Their ordinances have survived an initial legal challenge from the state. Earlier this month, the Leawood City Council voted to allow Sunday sales.

In the Kansas Legislature, House and Senate negotiators are considering a proposal to allow communities to approve the sales.

In Lawrence, city commissioners are proclaiming themselves to be neutral — for the time being.

“I haven’t given any thought to it,” Mayor David Dunfield said.

City Manager Mike Wildgen said it didn’t appear local liquor stores were pushing for Sunday privileges.

The Lawrence city commission will begin a review of allowing Sunday liquor sales. On Tuesday, a patron at Diane's Liquor, 1806 Mass., exited the store after purchasing beer.

“I certainly haven’t heard any clamor,” he said.

But Blomgren is enthusiastic about the idea.

“I know the markets where it is sold; Sunday is a very busy day,” he said. “For years we’ve lost sales to the Missouri side. Now if they just have to drive to Wyandotte (County), they’ll drive to Wyandotte.”

And, Blomgren said, city and state governments would benefit.

“What’s really asinine is that all of the governments are fighting for extra funds,” he said. “They get 8 percent (of liquor sale revenues) off the top. Why not take the extra revenue and use it?”

There is some skepticism. Randy Beeman, pastor at First Christian Church in downtown Lawrence, said he would be uncomfortable with Sunday sales — particularly in the morning, when church services are being conducted.

“It adds one more day a week where somebody can go out and get that drink,” Beeman said. “My greatest concern is not somebody taking a drink on Sunday. My greatest concern is the people who are addicted to the alcohol. That can happen Monday through Friday, too.”

Some liquor stores might not open on Sundays, even if they had the chance.

Blomgren promised his doors would be open, however.

“I don’t think it would make sense for every store in town to open up,” he said. “But I will.”