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New hard liquor law allows Sunday sales Most local businesses are sticking to their six-day schedules By JILL BRISKEY When Sunday rolls around, residents with a hankering for hard liquor don't have to drive to California - just Ashland. A bill that allows liquor stores to sell the ir wares on Sundays and nationally recognized holidays was passed in February during a special session of the state Legislature. It goes into effect Sunday, but most local retailers aren't changing their schedules. "There's just not enough business," said Sean Richmond, who manages the West Main Liquor Store in Medford. "With all the costs of everything else, you're not going to make a profit off it." Bob Springer, OLCC agent at the Barnett Road Liquor Store, agreed. "There isn't enough business on Sunday to warrant it," he said. "Besides, its going to give minors more chance to get at (the liquor)." But some customers are pleased with the change. "Lots of times on Sunday it's like, darn it, I'm out," Medford resident Carolyn Huff said while browsing Springer's store Friday afternoon. "It's a silly law anyway." Silly or not, the state law prohibiting hard liquor sales has been in effect since Prohibition. Under HB 4028, Sunday participation is optional. "Our agents are independent business people, so some will choose the option of opening Sundays and others will remain closed," said Rick Ripley, co-director of Oregon Liquor Control Commission store operations in Portland. "It depends on whether it pencils out for them financially to be open." Medford resident Lee Hamilton said he'll do business at liquor stores on Sunday. Occasionally, he's driven to California to purchase liquor when local stores are closed. "Most states are open seven days a week anyway," he added. "I'm glad they'll be open." The bill was designed to raise an additional $3 million in revenue for the state general fund during the 2001-03 biennium, according to information from the OLCC. The first $3 million above $185 million generated in distilled spirit sales during this biennium will be distributed to the state's general fund. Hannah Goode, manager of Ashland Liquor Store, said the doors will be open to people over the age of 21 when Sunday rolls around. The new Sunday hours are 1 to 6 p.m., and it will be the only Rogue Valley store open on Sunday for the time being. "We're going to try it out and see how it goes," Goode said. "We're happy about it." Goode the store will also open during holidays. If sales remain strong, she added the store will keep its new schedule. OLCC officials have written a temporary rule to reverse the state existing law that prohibited sales on Sundays. The agency is currently working to create a permanent rule. A public hearing is slated at OLCC headquarters in Milwaukie on June 5, and written comments are being accepted through June 19. For more information, visit OLCC at www.olcc.state.or.us on the Web. Employees and managers of Medford's three liquor stores and those in Butte Falls, Eagle Point, Talent and Central Point said on Friday they will not change their six-day schedules. An employee of the Shady Cove Market said it's unclear whether the store will sell distilled spirits on Sunday, and the manager was unavailable for comment. An employee from Jacksonville Liquor Store said hard alcohol may be sold on Sundays starting with the Memorial Day holiday. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.