Some stores say Sunday alcohol sales aren't worth it - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Some stores say Sunday alcohol sales aren't worth it

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COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) -

It has been a controversial subject across the state and flowing now into the Fountain City: Sunday alcohol sales.

One day after liquor stores in Columbus were able to open their doors to customers for the first time on Sunday, News Leader 9 asked local businesses if the extra day of sales is worth it.

Lashelleric James, assistant manager at a Columbus convenience store, says Sunday alcohol sales were a hit with some customers.

"I had a few that were like, 'yay, we get to buy beer today on Sunday.' I was like, ‘Okay. Yeah,'" said James

Even though James says sales were much different than any other day, when they would be open any way on Sundays for food and gas sales, adding profit from any alcohol sales is a bonus.

"I had a few customers waiting for the 12:30 p.m. to hit but, I can't say I saw an overall rush, but we are 24 hours so any little sales that we did do yesterday was a help for us," said James.

Some liquor stores around Columbus told us they decided to not even open up on Sunday because with operating costs they thought they would lose money.

At other stores, workers told us the day was mediocre.

"Our sales were poor. We only had around 50 customers in the five hours that we were open. It didn't generate much revenue for the city on the north end of town as far as the guys that I talked to at other stores in this neighborhood," said Charlie Ashley with Main Street Package in Columbus.

Ashley says he was against Sunday alcohol sales, but since the ordinance passed allowing stores to sell between 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Sundays, he says they feel obligated to open their doors.

"We'll stay open because the competition will be open and you can't afford lose customers the way things are these days," said Ashley.

 James understands why some liquor stores do not support Sunday sales, but she says it could help the community in some ways.

"Versus them going to Alabama to get their alcohol, they can just get it here and they don't have to leave the state," said James.

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