Council to take on Sunday sales

SUMMERVILLE — Dorchester County voters might decide this fall if they want to buy alcohol on Sunday.

Council is expected this evening to give initial approval to a referendum to allow stores to sell beer and wine and pubs to sell drinks seven days a week.

"It's a controversial proposal," acknowledged Council Chairman Larry Hargett.

Dorchester County Council is considering Sunday alcohol sales because of requests from pubs, grocery stores, convenience stores and bowling alleys that are losing business to nearby places in municipalities that allow it, Hargett said.

For example, stores along Ashley Phosphate Road in Charleston County can sell beer and wine on Sunday, but the Publix in Dorchester County has a sign posted by the beer and wine warning customers "No Sunday beer and wine sales."

Shoppers at the store were divided on the idea when asked about it Friday.

Eddie Brodsky, a young criminal justice student at Trident Technical College who lives nearby, was buying two six-packs of beer, enough to last him through the weekend. He had mixed feelings about Sunday beer sales. On the one hand, it would be convenient. On the other hand, he didn't want to offend anyone who might not think it's right.

"I don't know," he said as he stood in the checkout line. "I don't see the problem buying beer on Sundays, but others might because it's church day, family day, you know."

Ira Deas, another shopper at the store, lives in Moncks Corner, which does not allow Sunday beer sales. Deas, who appeared to be about 30, doesn't think it's a good idea to allow it.

"Me personally, I'm a church- going person. I don't think so," Deas said of allowing beer to be sold on Sundays.

He has plenty of company.

If the referendum passes, Dorchester would join just six other counties in the state to allow Sunday alcohol sales. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only six allow Sunday beer sales: Beaufort, Charleston, Georgetown, Horry, Lexington and Richland, according to the S.C. Department of Revenue, which grants sales licenses.

Some other local municipalities with boundaries outside Charleston County also have approved Sunday liquor sales, including North Charleston, Summerville, Daniel Island and Goose Creek.

Alcohol sales are not allowed on Sunday anywhere else in Berkeley County, Deputy Supervisor Chip Boling said.

Dorchester County, like other municipalities, is looking for ways to bring in more money during a building slowdown. County Administrator Jason Ward said he had no estimate yet on how much money Sunday alcohol sales might mean for the county.

Council meets at 7 p.m. today in the county services building on Main Street in Summerville.

Council also will hold a public hearing on borrowing $15 million for sewer upgrades, mostly for expanding the St. George sewer plant in hopes of attracting new industries.