Ben Jenkins

Minnesota liquor stores could benefit from Sunday sales.

Ending ban fits with governor’s desire to repeal antiquated laws

Ban stems from Prohibition, which ended in 1933

Earlier this month, Gov. Mark Dayton introduced a package of about 1,000 state laws or procedures to be erased because they are past their time. This agenda is referred to as the “unsession.”

As legislators look for these laws that are no longer needed or simply getting in the way of modern business and consumer practices, one law stands out: Minnesota’s Prohibition-era ban on Sunday alcohol sales.

Despite 80 years of modernization across the country, Minnesota liquor stores are stuck in time, held in place by a law that is an anachronism. Minnesotans ratified the 21st Amendment ending Prohibition in 1933, but this Sunday remnant remains – lingering like a horse-drawn carriage on a highway.

Minnesota is one of only a handful of states with such a restrictive “blue law” ban on alcohol sales. The policy dates back to a time when no one could buy or even possess alcohol anywhere in the country. There is no legitimate public policy purpose to banning Sunday alcohol sales, only special interests that keep it alive each year. It’s not like you can’t get a drink in a bar or restaurant on Sundays.

Times have changed. Consumer demographics have changed, too.

Unlike in 1933, Sunday is the second busiest shopping day of the week. People are out and about, shopping; seeing movies; watching the Vikings; and eating and drinking at restaurants and bars. Sunday is a major day for commercial activity all over the state, except for spirits merchants.

Liquor store owners are prohibited by law from opening their doors to customers who are already out shopping. For some, it’s the most convenient day to shop; for others, perhaps it’s the only day.

It’s not without economic consequences. A recent commercial analysis found that Sunday sales of alcohol would generate between $10.8 million and $15.1 million in new tax revenues for the state —annually. As more store owners choose to open and grow their businesses, some will create jobs by hiring new people, and that will contribute more to the state.

Repealing the Sunday ban would in no way force any store owner to open. It will simply give those who want to open the opportunity. In fact, the only people with a legitimate reason to oppose Minnesota Sunday sales are liquor store owners across the border in Iowa, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and even Canada —all of which allow Sunday sales.

A lot has changed since 1933. Across the country, state after state has seen the benefits of Sunday alcohol sales and had zero negative social impacts.

Anti-competitive sales bans —whether on Sundays or Wednesdays —make no sense in a modern economy.

That’s why state leaders nationwide are sending these blue laws the way of Prohibition. That’s why thousands of consumers are rallying across Minnesota to end this decades-old law. And, that’s why ending the Sunday sales ban in Minnesota is the perfect poster child for Dayton’s “unsession.”

This is the opinion of Ben Jenkins, vice president of communications for the Distilled Spirits Council in Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 202-682-8840.