Minnesotan college students, thirst no more! As of July 1st, Minnesotan liquor sales are legal on Sundays (Come to mama, Sunday afternoon rosé). While it is possible to plan ahead and buy on Saturdays, let’s look at why this law existed in the first place and what changes it will bring to our fair state and Minnesota liquor sales as a whole.
History of the ban
The ban on Sunday alcohol sales began with Minnesota’s very statehood and lasted past the end of Prohibition. It was one of the many Blue Laws that dominated the United States at this time. While colonists saw the New World as a place of religious freedom, Christian ideologies nonetheless made their way into American laws, preventing labour, shopping, and liquor sales on Sundays for much of our history.
Over the years, secular American culture pervaded and many of these laws were fazed out state-by-state. It’s now quite common to both work and shop on the ‘day of rest’. And while some folks would be more likely to opt for a glass of wine at a Sunday evening dinner out than buy a bottle to bring home for that night, alcohol should be just as accessible as anything else on Sundays – an idea that Minnesota has finally recognized.
What changes will Minnesota experience with the new ruling?
Economically, this could drive up revenue of liquor sales for the state. Up until the decision, neighboring states profited from Minnesota’s ban on Sunday sales in receiving our state’s business. Now, the longer drive will no longer be necessary, and Minnesota will theoretically receive this traffic.
Others predict Sunday sales will allow “big box” liquor stores to beat out more mom and pop stores. These small (mostly rural) establishments may not be able afford employees for another day, nor the business loss if they choose not to remain open.
The social effects of this ban being overturned are more certain: alcohol will be purchased on Sundays and alcohol store employees will interact with people on Sundays. It is not clear, however, if this will cause a change in traffic of regular customers on Sundays versus the rest of the week.
Before this law passed, there was debate on whether or not it would increase the amount of drinking on Sundays. Those in opposition pushed the idea the alcohol should not be consumed on Sundays, let alone purchased. One lawmaker even suggested those who “really, really, really, really do need some alcohol [on a Sunday]” should get their “problem” checked out.
But Minnesota Senate member Matt Little came to the rescue, declaring, “our society has already answered that… which is: drinking on Sunday is OK.”
Yeah, Minnesota!
However chill this guy is, though, this information is nothing new to college students. We’re the Weeknight as well as the Weekend Warriors of alcohol. We’ve created traditions around day drinking. We’ve been boozing on Sundays since… uh… that one guy invited us to porch at his frat.
Eventually we’ll slow down our consumption and Sunday alcohol purchases will not be as noteworthy. High tolerances aside, however, it’s nice to have all your options. Nothing is standing in the way of a little Sunday booze now, whether it’s a forgotten purchase for an important event or just an impromptu mimosa.