Several restaurant owners in Columbus and Starkville don”t expect Sunday or extended weekday sale hours to affect their business much. But it will offer their customers more options and convenience.
Patrick Quinn of Mug Shots on North Douglas Conner Drive in Starkville is “definitely for alcohol sales on Sundays,” but doesn”t expect his restaurant to be impacted significantly by the Sunday sales.
“Not more or less, other than the fact it”s convenient for somebody that eats a hamburger to have a beer with it,” he said. “We sell alcohol, but it”s not a tremendous amount. It”s more of a convenience for our customers to be able to have what they want than a hassle to not be able to have what they want.”
“I really don”t think it”s going to help us that much, the after-hours (sales),” said Doug Pellum, owner of Zachary”s on Fifth Street North in Columbus. There”s not much going on. You need to be going home at 1 (a.m.), but we”ll stay open until 1:30 a.m. (on weekdays).”
Pellum does, however, pan to take advantage of Sunday alcohol sales; Zachary”s plans to open on Sundays beginning Nov. 1.
“I think it”s good for Columbus overall, the Sunday deal,” he added. “Opening an hour later at night (during the week), I don”t think that”s really a big factor.”
The Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission approved Sunday liquor and wine sales in Columbus and extended the time allowed for weekday sales by 30 minutes.
Now on-premises alcohol sales are allowed on Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight.
The city”s ordinance previously allowed for the sale of alcohol only from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
In Starkville, the Mississippi Tax Commission earlier approved the city”s request to allow restaurants to sell beer, liquor and wine by the glass on Sundays.
The city”s Board of Aldermen also extended its hours of alcohol sales allowing alcohol sales for on-site consumption from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“It shouldn”t affect us for any reason,” said Brian Huckaby, an owner of Huck”s Place, on Fifth Street South in downtown Columbus. The restaurant will remain closed on Sundays. “Really, one of the only ways it would is if we decide to have special events. Our restaurant is what brings the business into us, not really the bar business. Very seldom are we open past midnight.”
“I don”t anticipate opening on Sundays,” said Beth Rogers, a chef at J. Broussard”s, also on Fifth Street South in downtown Columbus. “We don”t do a whole lot of late-night bar business, so really (extending weeknight sale hours) kind of doesn”t affect us that much.
“The best part is if we decided to do special events on Sunday, we would be able to do that and serve alcohol,” she added. “We do think it”s really great, though, for other people, because we would like to be able to go out on Sundays and have a drink.”
“As of now, we”ve chosen not to open on Sundays,” said Rick Welch, owner of Rick”s Cafe on Highway 82 in Starkville. “It may change in the future, but it”s really had no affect on us.”
The Eat With Us Group — the umbrella group owning Columbus and Starkville restaurants Harveys, Jackson Square Grill, Cotton District Grill, Fairpark Grill, Sweet Peppers Deli, Bulldog Deli and Park Heights — expects to benefit from Sunday alcohol sales, said Spokeswoman Arma Salazar.
“The Eat With Us Group has experienced Sunday alcohol sales in all the communities that we are located in — Columbus, Starkville and Tupelo,” said Salazar, “I feel that our guests have more of a choice now of what and when they want to eat and drink. All of our locations are in close proximity to hotels. It is nice to know that guests can come in, relax, sit down and have a nice meal after traveling. If they choose to purchase an alcoholic drink, then they have that choice.”
Harveys will not open on Sundays, but Jackson Square Grill (in Columbus) and Fairpark Grill (in Starkville) offer brunch menus on weekends.
“Having Sunday alcohol sales will only more complete the brunch menu,” said Salazar. “Traditionally, brunch is served with a mimosa or bloody Mary. Our guests now have that choice. The Cotton District Grill (in Starkville) is open on Sunday, and when it moves to its new location and becomes Central Station Grill, we will add a brunch menu to that location as well. I think the law change just gives our patrons more of a choice.”
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