Vote slated for Sunday liquor sales

SHEFFIELD - Restaurants and motels could begin selling alcohol Sunday if city council members approve a change to the city's liquor ordinance during tonight's council meeting.

The revisions are a result of a Sept. 25 referendum in which Sheffield voters approved Sunday alcohol sales by a vote of 768-475.

The new ordinance allows the sale of alcohol on Sundays for on-premise consumption only.

The sale of alcohol for off-premise consumption is still prohibited, but its sale is allowed at certain retail establishments as late as 2 a.m. Sunday.

Sheffield is the first Alabama municipality to approve Sunday sales since Florence approved a similar measure in May 2005.

"If we approve it ... it will take effect immediately," Mayor Billy Don Anderson said.

City attorney Vince McAlister said the council must change the city's alcohol ordinance to reflect the results of the referendum.

Anderson said Sunday alcohol sales is an economic issue that should help level the playing field between Sheffield and other Shoals cities, especially Florence.

Sheffield residents supported Sunday sales during a 2005 countywide referendum that was defeated elsewhere in Colbert County.

It appears unlikely that other Colbert County governments will follow Sheffield's lead.

Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said 70 percent of the residents of his city who voted in the 2005 referendum opposed Sunday sales.

"I think the majority of folks in Muscle Shoals spoke," Bradford said. "They would rather not have Sunday sales."

Bradford said he has not been approached by any outside group or business owner seeking to initiate a Sunday sales referendum in Muscle Shoals.

Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker said no group has approached him on the issue.

"It's not as big a deal for us as it would be for some of the larger hotels that must have (Sunday sales) to attract big conventions," Shoemaker said. "I don't see that issue coming up any time soon."

Erin Lebischak was at the Old Town Tavern in downtown Sheffield the night the referendum was approved.

"It will definitely be good for business," she said.

She thinks Sheffield should also seek legislative approval to allow the sale of draft beer.

The state Legislature approved a bill earlier this year allowing draft beer sales in the city of Florence. Draft beer sales began Sept. 1.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.