Legislation would extend holiday hours for liquor stores

Liquor stores would open earlier during the holiday season under a piece of legislation that's expected to be heard by lawmakers on Tuesday.

The bipartisan bill allows liquor stores to open earlier during October, November and December. Under the legislation, liquor stores could open at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 10 a.m. instead of noon on Sundays.

The legislation would not affect bars or restaurants.

House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Delaware City, the legislation's prime sponsor, said the bill is consumer-friendly.

Lobbyists representing Anheuser-Busch InBev and liquor superstore Total Wine & More, which has locations in Claymont and Wilmington, are working the bill, according to a lobbyists database maintained by the Delaware Public Integrity Commission.

The legislation has been floating around Legislative Hall for several years, Longhurst said. Longhurst said she hopes the bill, if passed, will keep Delawareans from going out of state to purchase their alcoholic beverages during the holiday season.

"We are missing an opportunity in the state of Delaware during the holiday season," she said.

In Maryland, alcohol sales are mainly controlled by county. Stores are permitted to operate 6 a.m. through 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday in nearby Cecil County, Maryland. Sunday sales vary on the type of liquor license.

Contact Jon Offredo at (302) 678-4271, on Twitter @JonOffredo or joffredo@delawareonline.com