ThayerAvenue.com

We discussed the possibilities earlier this year, but it appears the selling of liquor in MoCo stores on Sunday will be finalized by County Executive Ike Leggett on Wednesday, according to The Examiner.

The plan will be given a six-month trial in hopes that holiday liquor sales will help boost revenue for the financial woes of the county. Councilman Knapp says the county could stand to make an additional $1.5-2 million annually. It remains to be seen what the real impact will be, as many say they’re (A) just robbing Peter to pay Paul (or Thursday to pay for Sunday, in this case), and (2) potentially taking away from locally-owned beer and wine stores that do a brisk business on Sundays when the county stores are closed.

I recently asked some of the people at the Colesville Road store what they thought about it, and their sentiment was basically this: If it means we won’t lose jobs and could potentially add jobs, that’s a good thing. I like the way they think. It’s not about revenue – it’s about increasing the workforce.

You can read the entire Examiner story here.

Janis Joplin once said, “If you ever need a drink, it’s on Sunday, man.” Councilmember Mike Knapp (D-Germantown) seems to agree, with a new proposal that would open the MoCo Liquor Stores on Sunday. Tired of me bitching about parking meters? Then maybe this can get your revenue on.

According to The Examiner, Knapp says the county could raise an additional $1.5-2 million a year. Sure it’s a drop in the bucket, but every bit counts. Plus, hey – booze on Sunday. Not that I’m saucing it up so much, but there have been several occasions when I get a hankering for a martini on the deck Sunday afternoon and I’m fresh out of Hendrick’s. Of course, the effort has its detractors:

The Rev. Wade Martin, senior pastor at Montgomery United Methodist Church, said Sundays are meant to be days focused on one’s faith and families, not for drinking.

“Alcohol can take us away from the intent of what Sundays are all about,” Wade said.

I understand and appreciate the sentiment, but if you want to focus on one’s faith and family, there’s a simple answer: Don’t go to the liquor store on Sunday. Plus it’s a bit of a narrow-minded statement considering the large Jewish population in the area. I have fallen off my Episcopal roots and subsequent training to stock up on Saturday. This is indeed the answer.

I’m hoping that this may lead to other bans being lifted. Something like, say, beer and wine in the grocery stores? Direct wine shipments to the state of Maryland? I’m keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.

Cheers!