BAR OWNERS WANTS EARLIER SALES ON SUNDAYS

SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING TO CONSIDER ENDING BLUE LAWS THAT PROHIBIT SALES OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON SUNDAYS BEFORE NOON.  JUST LAST MONTH, CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENDED BLUE LAWS THERE, ALLOWING ALCOHOL SALES ON SUNDAYS FROM 6AM-2AM AS ON ANY OTHER DAY OF THE WEEK.  BAR OWNERS HAVE SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PLEADING TO HAVE THE LAWS CHANGED AS THEY FEEL THEY ARE LOSING BUSINESS TO BOTH CHARLOTTE AND MANATEE COUNTIES BECAUSE THEY ALLOW SALES EARLIER IN THE MORNING ON SUNDAYS.  MANATEE COUNTY’S ORDINANCE ALLOWS FOR SALES STARTING AT 7AM.  COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY DIRECTED STAFF TO PREPARE A LETTER REQUESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CHANGING THE START TIME, ASKING FOR INPUT FROM BAR OWNERS.  MANY SAY THEY LOST MONEY BACK IN JUNE AND JULY WHEN THE WORLD CUP SOCCER MATCHES WERE IN SOUTH AFRICA AS MANY MATCHES WERE PLAYED IN THE MORNING U S TIME.