While the Pats battled the Colts for a chance to be one of the teams on the Superbowl ticket, students lined up inside Huntington Liquors to buy cases of beer to kick off their celebration. As of Jan. 14 Sundays will never be the same.
Since the 1700s Puritan-enforced blue laws, which regulate moral conduct, the sale of alcohol by liquor stores has been prohibited on Sundays. However, it has been customary for liquor stores to be able to sell alcohol on Sundays starting the weekend of Thanksgiving, until the first weekend of the new year.
Due to the recent abolishment of blue laws by state legislature and a favorable vote by Boston’s licensing board, liquor stores can now apply for a permit that will allow them to stay open on Sundays throughout the year.
Some Boston store owners are not enthusiastic about the change.
“We don’t like it at all, it’s too expensive,” said Henry Shumtz, the store manager at Bradley Liquors on Boylston St.
Not only will owners have to worry about basic operating costs such as electricity, but now they’ll have to fork over extra money to pay their employees.
“Extra costs will be incurred because of this extra day,” said Michel Soltani, the owner of Michel’s Wine and Spirits on Huntington Ave.
There are some who can sympathize with small business owners.
“I think most of the small businesses didn’t want it, but because of the competition of the industry and in order to maintain customer loyalty, some will have to stay open on Sunday,” said Daniel Pokaski, chairman of the licensing board for the city of Boston.
The change in legislation was sparked because there were liquor stores within a ten mile radius of New Hampshire that were able to sell alcohol Pokaski said, while other stores that were also in close proximity were prohibited from making any sales.
“It’s a domino effect,” Pokaski said.
Not all businesses are upset about the new laws, some think this is exactly what was needed.
“We’re definitely pleased,” said John Stepanski, store manager at Bauer Liquors. “People feel it’s a good convenience, if they don’t have to plan ahead they don’t have to fret a bit.”
Stepanski realizes that he is at an advantage because his store is located on Newbury Street. It also helps that Bauer Liquors provides an extra convenience to their customers by delivering their products to their front door if they request it.
Although there are mixed feelings in the business community, students are certainly happy with the change.
“It’s way overdue,” said Kim Brychel, a senior journalism major.
Another student shared Brychel’s sentiments
“I obviously think that it’s a good idea. I mean, football is on Sundays and you can never have enough beer,” said Jared DiMichele, a junior criminal justice major.
Most students agree that when liquor stores are closed on Sundays it can be a hassle.
“It sucks when you want to get alcohol on Sunday, but you can’t because the liquor stores are closed,” said Kathleen Faron, a junior music industry major. “You always have to think ahead.”
Losing money is not the only problem some businesses see; now they are faced with another day added to the work week.
“It takes seven days to do what it would take us to do in six,” Shumtz said.
Not only do employees not get a day off, but now it takes away from the quality time they are able to spend with their families.
“It’s a quality of life issue,” Soltani said.
Northeastern’s Public Safety Division said their staff will not have to take any extra precautions now that these new laws have been enacted.
“We wouldn’t anticipate any changes in security because of that [liquor sales],” said James Ferrier, the associate director of public safety.
Students should call local liquor stores before venturing out. Although this legislation has been passed, businesses reserve the right to remain closed on Sundays.
