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he Downers Grove Village Council considered starting Sunday alcohol sales three hours earlier than usual to stay competitive with surrounding communities.
The Village Council was scheduled to vote on amending the liquor ordinance Tuesday, Feb. 17, which would permit alcohol sales to begin at 9 a.m. rather than noon Sundays for off-premise liquor license holders. The end of liquor sales would remain the same at 1 a.m.
The issue came to forefront after the village received a letter in October from Constance Zaio, an assistant secretary for Jewel-Osco. The letter states Sunday is the No. 1 shopping day during the week for the grocery store.
Village Commissioner Bruce Beckman said the list of times surrounding communities begin Sunday alcohol sales was helpful in gauging the direction the village should take.
“If you look at this, nearly all the communities in the Chicago metropolitan area have at least an 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. start,” Beckman said.
Many commissioners agreed if a resident wants to purchase alcohol before noon Sunday, they will simply drive to another community to make their purchase.
“I was concerned about selling liquor early ... it’s not just a case of hurting us in terms of sales tax but really what it does is we have so many neighboring communities that are selling that people are actually going to get in their cars and go buy it anyway,” Commissioner William Waldack said. “So, we might as well keep them in town as long as they’re going out so they don’t have to drive as far.”
Commissioner Sean P. Durkin said he did not support the Sunday time when he was a Liquor Commission member. However, Durkin said the current state of the economy has shifted his position on the matter.
“Because of the economic times and our neighboring communities, I am in support of this. But I also want to point out this is only for packaged goods. This is not opening a bar or anything earlier in town to go drink at. This is strictly going to Jewel and buying your goods there.”
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When do other towns start? DARIEN 9 a.m. LISLE 10 a.m. WESTMONT 9 a.m. WOODRIDGE 6 a.m. |
Commissioner Marilyn Schnell said the time change will hopefully keep customers within the village.
“Times have changed and obviously almost every other municipality does it at either 8 a.m., 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. There’s very few that do it after noon. If people are going to buy it, they are going to buy it some place. To be competitive this is what we have to do.”
On Jan. 8, the Liquor Commission unanimously voted in favor of recommending the amendment.
Throughout the rest of the week, the time of liquor sales will remain the same, which is 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday.
he Downers Grove Village Council considered starting Sunday alcohol sales three hours earlier than usual to stay competitive with surrounding communities.
The Village Council was scheduled to vote on amending the liquor ordinance Tuesday, Feb. 17, which would permit alcohol sales to begin at 9 a.m. rather than noon Sundays for off-premise liquor license holders. The end of liquor sales would remain the same at 1 a.m.
The issue came to forefront after the village received a letter in October from Constance Zaio, an assistant secretary for Jewel-Osco. The letter states Sunday is the No. 1 shopping day during the week for the grocery store.
Village Commissioner Bruce Beckman said the list of times surrounding communities begin Sunday alcohol sales was helpful in gauging the direction the village should take.
“If you look at this, nearly all the communities in the Chicago metropolitan area have at least an 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. start,” Beckman said.
Many commissioners agreed if a resident wants to purchase alcohol before noon Sunday, they will simply drive to another community to make their purchase.
“I was concerned about selling liquor early ... it’s not just a case of hurting us in terms of sales tax but really what it does is we have so many neighboring communities that are selling that people are actually going to get in their cars and go buy it anyway,” Commissioner William Waldack said. “So, we might as well keep them in town as long as they’re going out so they don’t have to drive as far.”
Commissioner Sean P. Durkin said he did not support the Sunday time when he was a Liquor Commission member. However, Durkin said the current state of the economy has shifted his position on the matter.
“Because of the economic times and our neighboring communities, I am in support of this. But I also want to point out this is only for packaged goods. This is not opening a bar or anything earlier in town to go drink at. This is strictly going to Jewel and buying your goods there.”
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When do other towns start? DARIEN 9 a.m. LISLE 10 a.m. WESTMONT 9 a.m. WOODRIDGE 6 a.m. |
Commissioner Marilyn Schnell said the time change will hopefully keep customers within the village.
“Times have changed and obviously almost every other municipality does it at either 8 a.m., 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. There’s very few that do it after noon. If people are going to buy it, they are going to buy it some place. To be competitive this is what we have to do.”
On Jan. 8, the Liquor Commission unanimously voted in favor of recommending the amendment.
Throughout the rest of the week, the time of liquor sales will remain the same, which is 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday.
