Dr. Creech says the measure erodes ‘the responsibility of state-controlled ABC stores, which is to regulate — not promote — the sale of spirituous liquors.’
By Mackensy Lunsford
Asheville-Citizen Times
March 2, 2017
Apparently mimosas have the power to transcend party lines.
A bipartisan bill filed in the N.C. Senate on Wednesday proposes a change to the blue law prohibiting alcoholic beverage sales in restaurants before noon Sundays. The bill is sponsored by Republican Sens. Rick Gunn and Sen. Kathy Harrington, and Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, a Democrat.
Under Senate Bill 155, also known as the “brunch bill,” local governments would have the power to decide whether restaurants could begin pouring alcoholic drinks as early as 10 a.m. Alcohol sales at grocery and ABC stores would still be prohibited before noon.
Jason Roy, who co-owns two Biscuit Head locations in North Carolina, and another in South Carolina, is all for relaxing Sunday-morning liquor sales. “We have always thought that was an antiquated law,” he said.
Roy’s restaurants, know for over-the-top biscuit dishes, open at 8 a.m. on Sundays. At noon in the West Asheville location, Biscuit Head servers ring a bell to usher in the sale of mimosas and sake-based Bloody Marys.
If the bill becomes law, Roy said it might mean hundreds of extra dollars in his pocket each week. “Sundays are our busiest days, and before-noon sales would really help us out.” Read the rest of this entry