Malloy: liquor law overhaul more than Sunday sales: wtnh.com

The CEO at Dichello Distributors says the combination of lower prices and Sunday Sales is a winner.

When News 8 asked CEO Edward Crowley if he would hire more drivers if the plan went through he replied, “In our business it wouldn’t only be truck drivers. We would be hiring more truck drivers, we would be hiring warehouse personnel because of the volume coming in, so it’s a trickle down affect.”

Isn’t it time to put Connecticut consumers first? Take action right now.

With the General Assembly returning to session today, now is the time to tell your legislators to end Connecticut’s outdated alcohol blue laws!  That’s why the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition supports:

• Repealing the ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores. Connecticut is the only state in the Northeast and one of only two states in the entire country that still prohibits Sunday sales.

• Ending minimum pricing regulations which prohibit beer, wine, and spirits distributors from offering discounts to retailers, thus driving up prices for consumers.

• Allowing neighborhood grocery and package stores to stay open until 10:00 p.m. and to be open on “Monday after Sunday” holidays like Memorial Day, July 4^th, and Labor Day.

• Creating a new statewide medallion system that will give package store owners the valuable option to sell their licenses.  Grocery stores could then buy these licenses in order to operate affiliated but separate package stores where they could offer their customers the choice and convenience of purchasing wine and spirits.  Wine with dinner, it just makes sense.

Connecticut consumers deserve more convenience, more choice, and lower prices when shopping for beer, wine, and spirits. And our neighborhood grocery and package stores deserve the ability to compete on an even playing field with stores in neighboring states that have already repealed their outdated blue laws.

Contact your legislators today and tell them to end Connecticut’s antiquated alcohol blue laws!

In a new poll conducted by the Yankee Institute for Public Policy, results show Connecticut voters support changing state law to allow for Sunday sales of beer, wine, and liquor 2 to 1.

As one of America’s oldest think tanks, the Yankee Institute researches and analyzes Connecticut’s economy. See the polling numbers for yourself here.

It’s time to put Connecticut consumers first and end the state’s antiquated blue laws. Take action today!

End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition calls for end to antiquated Sunday sales ban

FARMINGTON – With local Giants and Patriots fans eagerly preparing for an epic Super Bowl rematch on Sunday, the End Connecticut’s Blue Laws Coalition is again calling on Connecticut lawmakers to repeal the state’s antiquated blue law ban on the Sunday sale of beer, wine, and spirits at neighborhood grocery and package stores.

“With friends and family gathering for the big game, Connecticut consumers deserve the right to stock up on chips, salsa, party platters, a case or two of beer, and a few bottles of wine, all on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Stan Sorkin, President of the Connecticut Food Association.  “We are one of only two states in the entire country that still prohibits Sunday sales.  This antiquated blue makes absolutely no sense, especially on Super Bowl Sunday.”

Added Sorkin, “While Connecticut fans may be deeply divided in their support for the Giants or the Patriots, they are strongly in favor of ending the Sunday sales ban.” According to a March 2011 Quinnipiac University poll, 66% of Connecticut voters supported ending the ban.

“We have customers coming in all morning and afternoon stocking up for their Super Bowl parties,” said Ray Miller, owner of a ShopRite in Enfield.  “But when they walk down our beer aisle, all of our cases are covered due to the Sunday sales blue law.  There’s no question that this is costing us business, particularly on a busy Super Bowl Sunday.”

“Being open on Super Bowl Sunday would be great for business” said Dominic Alaimo, the owner of Freshwater Package Store in Enfield. “But because of the Sunday sales blue law, I’ll lose thousands of dollars in sales to stores just across the border in Massachusetts who are open and happy to serve fans getting ready for their big Super Bowl parties.”

“Connecticut’s blue law sidelines small business owners and consumers on the busiest home entertainment day of the year for sports fans,” said Jay Hibbard, Vice President of the Distilled Spirits Council.  “It’s time for the Connecticut General Assembly to strike down this outdated ban on Sunday alcohol sales and put consumers first.”

Today’s New Haven Independent has an editorial strongly endorsing putting an end to Connecticut’s antiquated Sunday sales ban and other alcohol regulation blue laws:

This year, the governor has unveiled sweeping changes to the state liquor law that would not only allow Sunday sales, but increase the hours when alcoholic beverages could be served at restaurants and bars, and likely lower costs.

The changes are worthwhile. They would yield as much as $8 million in state tax revenue while lowering prices and increasing convenience for consumers . . .

Malloy’s changes would raise the number of package stores an individual or business could own from two to nine. Grocery stores still would only be able to sell beer, but they would have the ability to open separate stores that could sell liquor and wine.

The changes are expected to not only boost Connecticut businesses through increased sales, but benefit consumers with cost savings and greater shopping convenience. The savings would come via the end of prohibitions against distributors offering discounts to retailers and liquor stores from selling alcoholic beverages below cost . . .

Connecticut and Indiana are the only states that ban all liquor sales on Sunday.

In Connecticut’s case, the ban is a holdover from the days of the Puritans. After more than 300 years, the state should acknowledge that times have changed, and drop the Sunday ban.

Listen to Tim Devanney, President of Highland Park Market, a family-owned and operated chain of five Central Connecticut stores, discuss why he supports ending Connecticut’s antiquated alcohol blue laws on the Ray Dunaway show.

Courtesy of D. Smith and the Stratford Star.