Sunday alcohol sales bill heads to Gov. Holcomb, who plans to sign it

A measure allowing Sunday carryout alcohol sales is on its way to Gov. Eric Holcomb, who is expected to sign it next week.

That means Hoosiers likely will be able to buy alcohol at grocery, drug, convenience and liquor stores beginning the following Sunday, March 4.

Lawmakers gave final approval to the measure Thursday when the Senate concurred with a House version that makes the new law effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Senate Bill 1 allows Sunday sales from noon to 8 p.m., ending the unpopular ban that has been in place since the beginning of statehood, with lawmakers re-instating it after Prohibition ended in the 1930s.

Holcomb said Thursday morning he plans to sign the bill and promised not to let

"too many Sundays" pass before he does.

► Indiana Sunday alcohol sales: What you need to know

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Lawmakers approved Sunday sales after decades of failed efforts. The difference this time: Support from the state's small but powerful liquor store industry.

Liquor store owners have traditionally opposed Sunday sales, fearing it would erode their market share. Supermarkets and big box grocery stores, on the other hand, have long sought the ability to sell alcohol on Sunday, the second busiest shopping day of the week.

This year, though, liquor stores also faced the most serious challenge yet to their virtual monopoly of cold beer sales. As a result, they struck a deal with big box retailers under which both groups agreed to support Sunday sales and oppose the expansion of cold beer sales to convenience and grocery stores.

In the end, that's exactly how it played out at the Statehouse. Lawmakers killed a cold beer bill earlier in the session while advancing the Sunday sales bill.

Recent public opinion polls show that a strong majority of Hoosiers favor both Sunday and expanded cold beer sales.

Holcomb's plan to sign the Sunday sales bill soon means that for the first time ever, Hoosiers will be able to purchase alcohol from stores on Sundays during March Madness, the Indianapolis 500 and Colts games.

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Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.