A local representative supports a House amendment voted down Thursday which would have lifted the ban on Sunday liquor sales in Minnesota. A local liquor store manager, however, disagrees with it.

The lifting of the ban was included Thursday in the House through an amendment to a minor liquor license bill, but was rejected on a 70-56 vote.

Minnesota is one of just 12 states that bans liquor stores from opening on Sundays.

Manager of Cheers Liquor, Jenny Heinrich, said lifting the ban would only benefit large liquor stores, noting she thinks it would only cut from Saturday or Monday sales — not increase total store sales.

“We’re glad that the ban stayed,” Heinrich said.

District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, said though she supported keeping the ban in 2015 after hearing from local liquor store owners, she changed her vote this year after she heard from more than 40 constituents who wanted the ban to be lifted.

She said her vote was a tough decision, noting she understands the concerns local liquor stores have expressed to her.

Bennett said the main reason why she voted to lift the ban was “freedom,” noting her vote was cast after she said she remembered an ancestor who she said fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War.

She advised local liquor stores be prepared for the ban to be lifted, noting she expects it to be lifted in the next few years and wants it to benefit all parties when it is lifted.

She said a provision in the amendment would allow local municipalities to choose whether liquor stores could sell liquor on Sunday, noting she thinks it is a nice compromise.

She said government set up an artificial playing field for liquor businesses by banning them from operating on Sundays, noting she thinks removing the ban rights an unfair government interference, but added as an unintended consequence of government action to install the ban, it will be difficult for liquor businesses who have counted on Sundays off.

Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, said she thinks it’s time to step forward and allow municipalities to make the decision whether to sell liquor on Sundays.

“The consumers are asking for this,” Loon said. “Liquor stores are asking for this.”

Jennifer Schoenzeit, president of Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, said in a statement following the vote that she was pleased the bill did not pass.

“Today, legislators voted to support small, local businesses, as well as Minnesota’s current smart and balanced alcohol regulations,” Schoenzeit said. “Weakening our alcohol laws to allow liquor stores to open on any day of the year sounds simple on the surface, but it’s not. There would be an enormous negative impact — including higher prices for liquor stores and consumers — to both the bar and liquor store industries.”

 

— The Associated Press contributed to this report