Allow Sunday spirits sales
Forty-four states allow adult consumers to purchase their favorite spirits products on Sundays, but not South Carolina.
While distillers can be open on Sundays, they are unable to sell bottles to consumers.
Many distillers make the decision to close on Sundays.
And unlike liquor stores, we can only sell the products we make, so the loss of a sales day has a huge impact.
For those who stay open, disappointed consumers are forced to go home empty-handed on Sundays.
More than 90% of my distillery visitors are from out of town, and turning them away from buying our product not only harms sales, but their overall experience.
Fortunately, there are bills moving through the legislature that would allow local communities to vote on seven-day spirits sales.
Permitting package stores and distilleries to sell distilled spirits supports local businesses, gives adult consumers more convenience, accommodates tourists and bolsters industries outside of our own as we turn local agriculture products into high-end spirits.
Since 2002, 22 states have made the move to allow Sunday sales year-round.
It’s well past time South Carolina joined them.
I urge the legislature to pass HB 4231 and SB 492 in support of local businesses and consumers.
Scott Blackwell, Charleston
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