Ban on Sunday sales of liquor ends today
Whiskey and vodka worshippers rejoice.
A Prohibition-era state law that prohibited stores from selling liquor on Sundays ends today, which means liquor stores can be liquor stores, even on the Sabbath.
The owners of Simone's Beverage & Deli on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood plan to take advantage of the new rules and open today at 1 p.m., the earliest the law allows for Sunday liquor sales.
"We are increasing consumer convenience," said co-owner Marc Zkiab.
His brother Simone said that previously, he would have to turn away at least six customers seeking the hard stuff on Sundays.
Several of Simone's customers on Saturday said Sunday sales wouldn't matter much because they usually planned ahead to avoid coming up empty on Sundays.
"But the one day that I need it, it will be nice," Dave Courtney of Westlake said.
His North Olmsted friend, Paul Konold, agreed. "In a pinch . . ." he said.
Sunday is no longer exclusively a day of worship and rest. It has become the second-busiest shopping day of the week, behind Saturday, retailers say.
The 71-year-old liquor law had already been loosened for bars and restaurants in communities where voters approved of Sunday sales. Today, Ohio becomes the 32nd state to allow full Sunday sales, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaind...8621528211.xml
aV
