For Sunday sales

For Sunday sales or against Sunday sales? That seems to be the hot topic in Winchester right now.

Many argue alcohol shouldn’t be available seven days a week, noting Sundays are the Lord’s day or there are six other days for people to drink their booze.

Those on the other side of the fence argue having alcohol sales on Sundays will boost revenue, make people want to move here or take day trips to Winchester.

So, who is right?

To those arguing Sunday is the Lord’s day, we need to remember and respect that not everyone shares the same religious beliefs as us. The Bible does tell us Sundays are a day of rest. Everyone has different opinions on what “rest” is, Christians or not.

I have worked in this community and served many churchgoers alcoholic drinks after church. While one might want to have a beer or wine with lunch or dinner, another may not.

We also need to remember not everyone works Monday-Friday. For example, if someone works Tuesday-Saturday, are they not allowed to enjoy themselves on a Sunday because a select few don’t agree with Sunday sales?

Then there are those in favor of Sunday sales, boosting revenue and making Winchester a desirable place to visit and live. Are they wrong? Are they right? Only time can answer that question.

Let’s look at Lexington. There seems to be a brewery everywhere you turn with wineries and distilleries here and there. What have these businesses done for their community? To name a few, they sponsor festivals, hold events to benefit local organizations and businesses, support local artists and musicians. They’ve saved and revived older buildings.

What has Abettor done for Winchester in the five months they have been open? They have raised money for Clark County Special Olympics, Clark County Homeless Coalition and Abby and Sarina’s mission trip to a young girl’s home in Peru. Abettor has donated money to Clark County Little League, Madison County Special Olympics and Clark County Homeless Coalition. That’s not including events they are currently organizing.

Ingredients for their beers are sourced from local businesses, farms and families.

What does Abettor do that can draw tourism? On Tuesdays, there’s appreciation night for teachers, military and first responders and others in the medical field along with cornhole tournaments. Wednesdays is ladies’ night and Rising Stars open mic night. Thursdays are trivia night. Fridays are live music. Saturdays are music, football and fundraising days.

What do we do with this predicament? We could always just keep telling them to go to a different county if they don’t like our laws and ordinances, right? But think about it, the revenue from Sunday sales could go to many different community projects and programs.

We allow our restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays so why not breweries, wineries and distilleries? Just because the business itself doesn’t have a kitchen or food sales? It’s an unfair playing field.

Sure, these business owners knew the laws and regulations when opening their businesses but is it now wrong to fight for fairness and change? I think not. The businesses fighting for this change aren’t places people go to get drunk as opposed to some restaurants who serve $1 cocktails or shots. People go to these places to enjoy one or two drinks and a family-like atmosphere.

These places care too much about their guests to not ID them or allow them to be over-served and leave the building drunk.

I think it’s time we stop giving our money to other counties and support our local businesses.

Emily Durbin

Winchester