Sunday alcohol sales sparks debate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Selling alcohol at the grocery store on Sundays has been a topic of debate in Indiana over the years and the current law prohibiting Sunday alcohol sales continues to spark debate.

Those who want to see the law changed are renewing their efforts to get the attention of legislators. The topic didn't come up in the last legislative session, but it could come up in the new legislation.

Julie Oler, an Indiana resident and consumer, said she thinks Indiana residents should be able to purchase alcohol on Sundays.

"People have to rush out on Saturday night and try to get beer,” said Oler. “Let’s face it, everybody drinks beer on Sundays when they watch games and stuff like that. So it would just make more sense."

Matt Norris, lobbyist for Hoosiers for Beverage Choices , agrees that alcohol sales should be allowed on Sundays.

"Sunday is the second busiest shopping day of the week and our members want the ability to purchase alcohol when they go do the rest of their grocery shopping."

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices has posted an online petition to change the Sunday sales law. The association wants to allow grocery, convenience and drug stores to sell cold beer. Currently, only liquor stores are allowed to sell cold beverages. The group says the online petition has generated 25,000 signatures and plans to step up its campaign to gather even more.

Norris said he hopes the campaign will encourage consumers to contact their legislators.

"We hope to engage these forward-thinking consumers in the coming months so that they can discuss with their legislators the importance of these alcoholic beverage law changes," he said.

Brad Rider, president of United Package Liquors, said he won’t support alcohol sales on Sundays and worries legalizing Sunday alcohol sales will contribute to increased minor consumption.

“My main concern is increased accessibility for minors,” said Rider. “If they open us up on Sundays and we happen to lose cold beer, we’re gonna be out of business.”