Voters still debating on Sunday liquor sales

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga,None — Voters in several metro Atlanta areas are deciding if they want to allow Sunday alcohol sales in their communities.

Voters in unincorporated DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale, Forsyth and Hall are voting on the matter Tuesday, along with voters in municipalities like Marietta, Cumming, Conyers, Austell and Buford.

Hal’s Package Store has been a staple in unincorporated DeKalb’s Memorial Drive for more than 30 years.  Manager William Upshaw said they fought the original idea of Sunday sales because it costs liquor stores extra money to stay open an extra day.  But since the neighboring cities of Clarkston and Stone Mountain already approved it, he said he needs to be able to sell on Sundays in order to compete.

“It’s a fact of life right now,” Upshaw said. “We fought it, but now that it’s changed, we’re going to try and accept it.”

Customer Ado Autman admitted he shops at liquor stores in nearby Stone Mountain on Sundays instead of Hal’s.

“Last Sunday, I went to Stone Mountain and bought it,” Autman said.  “I couldn’t understand why up and down Memorial Drive you can’t.  Why?  It’s in the same county, you know.”

The measure is expected to pass on Tuesday.

“We’re hoping that it will go ahead and pass,” said Upshaw.  “Hopefully, we can get back some of the business we’ve lost due to the surrounding areas.”

WSBTV