Sunday alcohol sales coming to Oconee County
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Oconee County residents could begin having a glass of wine or beer with Sunday dinner as soon as Dec. 11, and pick up a six pack of beer on the way home.
That's when a new ordinance allowing restaurants to serve alcohol on Sunday is likely to become effective, said Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis. Another ordinance allowing package sales by convenience stores, grocery stores and other retailers would go into effect the same day.
The Athens Banner-Herald (http://bit.ly/2eQmx10) reports voters approved both changes during Tuesday's election. But Oconee County commissioners must still approve the changes in order for the vote to become law.
Commissioners are likely to discuss the ordinance at the group's next agenda-setting meeting Nov. 29, then vote on it on Dec. 6. The next Sunday after that is Dec. 11.
The proposed changed ordinance would allow alcoholic beverage and package sales between 12:30 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Sundays.
Some Christian groups in the county opposed putting the question on the ballot, but the idea had the backing of groups representing restaurants and grocery stores — and most voters, as it turned out.
The change in the rules means restaurant customers can order drinks of whisky, bourbon and other distilled alcoholic beverages, but will not allow Sunday package sales of hard liquor — only beer and wine.
Voters would have to undergo a separate, more stringent process for package sales of distilled spirits, which are not permitted on any day of the week in Oconee County. In order for the county to have liquor package sales, voters would have to specifically approve that step before commissioners could put the question on an election ballot.
The end of the county's Sunday sales ban does not affect stores in the city limits of Oconee towns; under Georgia law city officials have authority (after voter approval) to set the rules.
The county revisions in alcohol rules will affect 30 businesses that are licensed to sell alcohol in Oconee County including supermarkets, convenience stores and a dozen restaurants.