Sunday Alcohol Sales Controversial in Georgia

ATLANTA—Convenience stores are in about every community in the country. There are several income streams within the industry: motor fuel, tobacco, lottery tickets, and alcoholic beverages, to name a few.

Motor fuel represents about 70 percent of the total sales for the industry. Alcohol and tobacco provide about 46 percent of inside sales. The industry itself rakes in about $5 billion or more a year.

The passing of SB10, a bill to allow Georgia stores to sell alcohol on Sundays, would significantly increase sales and tax revenues for the industry, according to supporters.

Jim Tudor is president of the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores (GACS), and he spoke of policy issues important to members, including Sunday alcohol sales. He lobbied legislators to allow voters to decide the issue.

GACS was one of several associations that were part of a coalition to pass the SB10 bill local option for Sunday sales. The bill would allow communities to vote to change Georgia's Blue Laws that forbid alcohol to be sold on Sunday. According to Tudor, given the fact that Georgia is surrounded by states that allowed the local option it is “really a no-brainer.”

A number of large Georgia cities are near the borders of these states and Georgia retailers are at a distinct disadvantage.

“I can’t think of any disadvantages,” (to Sunday sales) said Tudor, “especially if you call the legislation ‘local option’ instead of ‘Sunday alcohol sales,’” which would imply that sales would occur with passage. The bill is about allowing people to vote on the issue and no sales would occur unless approved by voters. Thus it is less of an alcohol issue and more of a local control issue."

GACS has been a collective for 37 years. It was formed to address legislative issues pertaining to retailers and supplies of convenience and grocery stores, high profile industries selling mainly consumer products.

According to their website, GACS is the only organization in Georgia for professionals engaged in petroleum marketing and convenience store management.

Tudor said one of the most rewarding things about working in the industry is “you have an impact on the regulations that affect your members, we effect change. As a result of our efforts, most recently we helped to pass the Sunday alcohol sales bill.” Tudor said, “We have opted to vote for Sunday alcohol sales; alcohol and tobacco are heavily regulated items. We are not ashamed of what we do. The items are going to be sold. They must be sold in a responsible manner.”

Support in Congress

In a telephone interview with state Sen. Donzella James (D-College Park), she said, “There was initial opposition to the bill on the House and Senate floor.

"You know this is the center of the Bible belt. There were lots of zealous citizens opposing this at first," she added. "They gave arguments that they were selling alcohol at football games on Sundays and that it would be better to buy beer on the way home and take it with you rather than to drive home drunk."

Commenting on GACS representative Tudor, she said "Jim Tudor presented us with all the facts and information we needed. Jim’s a great person, I respect him, you don’t have to wonder if he’s padding information as a lobbyist for his own benefit. He provided us with refreshments. He even made us grilled cheese sandwiches during the breaks at the hearing (In the Georgia General Assembly).”

Sen. James herself had initial reservations. "At first, I didn’t necessarily want alcohol to be sold—as a mother who lost a son to a drunk driver. I was also a supporter of MADD (mothers against drunk driving), " she said. "But I remembered for more than 25 years my husband and his brother owned and operated a liquor store. They were very responsible. They would not sell to those who were drinking already. As business owners they did not want to be liable either."

James echoed a point made by Tudor. "Somebody told me if they want alcohol, they could get it anyway from some shady back street shack or something; and they’re right. So I voted for the responsible way. I think that’s right."

Jerry Luguire, president of The Christian Coalition, said in a phone interview that his opposition to Sunday sales “is not a stance taken on religious grounds. Expanded alcohol drinking hurts lives. They’ve been given their right to vote; now exercise that right by voting “No” in the November election.”

The state Legislature did decide to place the issue on the ballot, and Georgia voters will choose whether to allow Sunday liquor sales in their counties or cities. According to ProhibitionRepeal.org, 14 states ban Sunday alcohol sales.

Luguire said, “We can all live without Sunday alcohol sales but we can’t all live with it.”