Connecticut Mayors Support Ending Ban On Sunday Sales

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez have all come out in favor of ending Connecticut’s outdated ban on the Sunday sale of alcohol at local package and grocery stores.  As Mayor Finch says in today’s Hartford Courant:

“If our legislators simply lifted this antiquated ban on Sunday alcohol sales,” Finch said, “our financially struggling state could stop bleeding business — and sending tax revenue — to stores in neighboring states.”

While favoring a statewide lift of the ban on Sunday sales, Finch said that he and the other mayors would support a law that would allow Sunday sales in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.

“At least let us do it,” Finch said. “What we hope to demonstrate to the state is show them how silly they have been by leaving the money on the table. If you go to the Sturbridge liquor stores, you see Connecticut license plates up there.”

Finch said, “We’re not worried about this in terms of the impact socially. What we’re worried about is the money. … Even if it was $100,000 more for Bridgeport, it’s $100,000 we desperately need.

“We think it’s worth a shot,” he said. “Let’s see what it brings in.”

Other media coverage of Connecticut mayors supporting lifting the ban on Sunday sales:

• “Big city mayors want Sunday liquor sales,” Stamford Advocate
• “Mayors Turn on Tap for Sunday Booze Sales,” NBC Connecticut
• “Sunday Liquor Sales: 3 Connecticut Mayors Making A New Push,” Hartford Courant