BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A bill that would permit Massachusetts liquor stores to open two hours earlier on Sundays has passed the House and is now up for consideration in the Senate.
The bill, House Bill H.228, would allow alcohol to be sold from liquor stores beginning at 10 a.m. instead of noon.
Restaurants are already allowed to begin serving alcoholic beverages beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday; in 2010 Massachusetts lawmakers approved the Restaurant Rejuvenation Act, intended to give restaurants the ability to serve drinks like mimosas and bloody marys with brunch before noon.
The legislators who are sponsoring the bill say that by allowing liquor stores to open earlier, it will help stores in border cities and towns that are losing business to surrounding states. Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut all allow liquor sales to begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, if not earlier.
Rep. Steven Howitt, a Republican from Seekonk sponsored the bill aiming to allow liquor stores to open earlier.
"People want convenience, but they also want to purchase when they can, and let's face it - people are working all different hours," he said.
For Stores like Chris Gasbarro's Fine Wine & Spirits in Seekonk that straddle the border with Rhode Island, opening earlier levels the playing field.
"As you can see we're only 1000 feet from the border in this particular store, and it gives Rhode Island an unfair advantage over Massachusetts," said Howitt.
And store owners say every little bit helps business.
"Typically our store will get a flow of traffic first thing," said Phil Carter, the store manager at Gasbarro's. "On a Sunday, people are waiting. So I would think if we're open earlier it would be beneficial."
Cox Media Group
