Consumers deserve the convenience of shopping for wine, beer and spirits in retail stores on Sundays.

Leslee Miller

An overwhelming number of consumers in Minnesota support Sunday sales and thousands of them are contacting their legislators to say so. With even more consumer pressure, we can get Sunday sales passed.

A floor vote in the Minnesota Legislature to finally repeal the Sunday sales ban is expected within the next couple of weeks. I encourage everyone who supports Sunday sales to let their state legislators know today.

A relic of the past

The law against Sunday sales of wine, beer and spirits is a relic of the past and does not meet today’s consumer demand. The law also certainly does not reflect the public’s wishes.

Public opinion favors Sunday sales, especially among Minnesotans who purchase and consume wine, beer and spirits.

Many consumers are constantly juggling busy schedules, including family activities and careers, and prefer Sundays as their day to shop. It’s no surprise that Sundays have become one of the busiest and most popular shopping days of the week.

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Consumers want the convenience of shopping for wine, beer and spirits in stores on Sundays as they do for most other items.

After decades of being shut out from shopping on Sundays, Minnesotans are speaking out and demanding change.

Out of step with bordering states

The law prohibiting Sunday sales also puts businesses at a competitive disadvantage since all our bordering states – Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas – allow consumers to shop on Sundays. In fact, Minnesota remains one of only 12 states that still restrict Sunday sales in stores.

Repealing the ban on Sunday sales does not force stores to open that day. Owners would have the option to do so. It’s their choice to make and not up to the government to decide for them.

Thanks to Minnesotans everywhere who contact their state legislators, we may soon see Sunday sales approved and an end to the ridiculously outdated and anti-consumer prohibition on Sunday sales.

Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and spokesperson for the MN Consumers First Alliance.

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