Lexington Council committee overwhelming backs expansion of Sunday alcohol sales

WEKU | By Stu Johnson

A move to expand alcohol sales on Sunday in Lexington is now before the full Urban County Council. The modification in current law got almost unanimous committee backing Tuesday.

Currently in Lexington alcoholic beverages can’t be sold until 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. This expansion would allow for sales starting at 6:00 in the morning, like every other day of the week. 10^th District Councilman Dave Sevigny noted the request for the change came from restaurants primarily. He added there were also comments from nightshift workers like those in healthcare.

“And there’s a variety of people who like to have breakfast with their friends, each day of the week. They kind of treat that as their happy hour. And then they go back to work at night while we all sleep,” said Sevigny.

The original proposal included liquor stores in the time change. Council committee members voted six to four to keep the start of package sales at 1:00. Veteran Eighth District Councilman Fred Brown cast the lone no vote on the amended measure.

“I think it’s open to the community pretty much and for us to maybe dishonor Sunday in this way. You know, Sunday is still a special day to me and to a lot of people in Lexington,” said Brown.

The alcohol ordinance could get a final vote the first full week of December.

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Republished with permission. Adobe Stock photo.