Bloody (Mary) Battle Over Sunday Sales in Starkville

Less than half of Mississippians drink alcohol on a regular basis. But that 40 percent of the population says their economic impact is so big, there shouldn’t be nearly as many restrictions on when they choose to do it. MPB’s Cari Gervin takes a look at the battle brewing over Sunday alcohol sales in Starkville.

Mississippi was the last state to repeal prohibition. Since that day in 1966, counties and municipalities have had a piecemeal approach towards alcohol sales.

Some counties remain dry for beer and liquor. Some places don’t sell cold beer in stores. Some cities allow restaurants to sell beer by the glass but not wine.

And then there are a number of municipalities like Starkville, when the beer is cold, the liquor stores are plentiful, and mixed drinks are on the menu just about anywhere you go.

Except on Sunday.

And that’s a problem, says Alderman Jeremiah Dumas – Starkville is behind the times.

“There are a lot of people that come into this community and try to move to this community and look to move to this community, and when we have archaic laws that are still in the books, it really puts the wrong impression of how progressive of a university town we are.”

Dumas says Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants and Sunday beer sales at grocery stores will enhance Starkville’s reputation, increase tourism and provide an economic boost. And that’s why he’s wants to change the city ordinance that prevents anyone from getting a Bloody Mary at Sunday brunch.

The Starkville Board of Aldermen held a packed public hearing about the issue two weeks ago. A lot of people there agreed with Dumas about Sunday sales, like restaurant owner Curt Crissey:

“What is right for six days a week that’s not right for the seventh day, I don’t know.”

But, then, a lot of people disagreed. Baptist pastor Jason Middleton:

“Well, what’s the big deal about not having one more day? They drink six days out of the week – what’s the big deal about not drinking on one day?”

And that’s the biggest divide. Those in the hospitality industry say Sunday alcohol sales increase business and bring conventions to town. Those on the religious side of things says drinking is already immoral.

Take Dorothy Isaac – who, let’s be frank, would be perfectly happy with the return of prohibition. But Sundays, she says, should really stay sober.

“It’s because this is the day that the family is mostly out and they’re together.”

Mississippi’s major metropolitan areas have Sunday alcohol sales – the coast, Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, and Desoto County. Much of the Delta also allows Sunday sales. But most of Northeast Mississippi – cities like Tupelo, Columbus and Oxford – do not.

That’s starting to change, as the down economy has towns vying for tourism dollars and tax revenue. Grenada passed Sunday sales last winter. Batesville has it on the agenda for September. People in Tupelo are closely watching what’s happening in Starkville.

Mike Cashion is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association. He says Sunday sales can help the local economy’s tax revenues.

“You know, our position has always been that it’s a sound business decision. It’s a business model that’s worked in other parts of our state and throughout the country.”

But Dorothy Isaac says alcohol abuse over the weekend is already bad enough, without adding Sunday in the mix.

“If you look at that little blotter that come out on Sunday, all you see is DUI’s, DUI’s, DUI’s.”

Mike Cashion says he has yet to see any statistics that show an increase in drunk driving from the one extra day of alcohol sales. A representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving also said the organization had no numbers that showed a change either way.

In Grenada, Chief of Police James Fox says that since restaurants began serving drinks on Sunday a few months ago, it’s just been business as usual.

“We hadn’t had not the first call or complaint or increase and nothing like that.”

And for Starkville residents like Milo Burnham, that’s good news. He’s religious, but he also supports Sunday sales.

“I think I’m old enough to make the decision as to whether or not I should have a drink, and whether it’s Sunday or Saturday or Tuesday or whatever, doesn’t make any difference. And oftentimes on the way home from church I like to stop and get something to eat and have a glass of wine with it.”

The Starkville Board of Alderman will have a second public hearing on the issue tonight – and will probably vote on the ordinance afterwards. Alderman Jeremiah Dumas says he expects Sunday sales will squeak past the divided board.

But for other cities, the debate over Bloody Marys at Sunday brunch continues. For MPB News, I’m Cari Gervin.