Push to expand Sunday alcohol sales put on hold

INDIANAPOLIS | A group has decided to delay its effort at persuading legislators to change the state's long-standing ban on Sunday alcohol sales at drug, grocery and convenience stores.

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices had formed in August to push for changes to the state alcohol laws, including permission for the sale of cold beer at those same locations.

But Grant Monahan, president of the Indiana Retail Council, said that no bill will be introduced this session because legislative leaders have called for a moratorium on alcohol-related legislation for the General Assembly session that starts this week.

Instead, the topic will likely be assigned to a two-year interim study committee on alcoholic beverage issues.

"We're kind of nowhere for this session," said Monahan, who is a spokesman for Hoosiers for Beverage Choices.

Monahan said the group had received positive reaction from legislators and the public -- including thousands of people who signed an online petition for the legislative changes -- and he hopes for success on the issue in 2010.

Indiana is one of 15 states to prohibit carryout sales of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Thirteen others have repealed such restrictions since 2002. But restaurants, taverns, and numerous sports and community events are allowed to sell alcohol by the drink on Sundays.

Indiana, meanwhile, is the only state that limits the sale of cold beer to package liquor stores.

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices was formed by 23 retailers and three trade associations -- Indiana Retail Council, The Indiana Petroleum Council and The Indiana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.

The move to allow Sunday sales is opposed by some package liquor store owners, who believe any business gained would be canceled out by additional costs for being open another day.