A Draconian, Prohibition-Era Liquor Store Law in This State Might Get Scrapped Soon — Here’s What You Need To Know

A liquor store law dating back to before Prohibition might be overturned in this state. (Photo: Sipa via AP Images)

On Tuesday, an initiative called Cheers! Let South Carolina Decide announced that citizens of the state are getting ready for a hearing that will determine whether or not they will have the right to vote on a liquor store law. The law forbids alcoholic retailers from being open on Sundays and dates back to Prohibition.

Cheers! Let South Carolina Decide is a coalition of individuals leading the charge to rid the state of this outdated law.

“As an Ambassador, I know outdated laws create barriers in business and stand in the way of people in our state,” Cheers! Let South Carolina Decide Chairman Ed McMullen said in a statement. “It’s time to show that South Carolina is business-friendly and listens to our consumers and business owners.”

At present, South Carolinians have to “cross state borders into Georgia,” where Sunday liquor sales are allowed, according to an economic study performed by Dr. Andrew Hanssen and Dr. Raymond D. Sauer on the financial potentials of scrapping the draconian law.

In July, a bill re-tuning North Carolina’s ABC law was pitched for Sunday liquor store sales in late June. The bill additionally touched on happy hours and impending tax breaks for distillers looking to… age their whiskey in space. Yeah, you read that right.

As for the bill for its sister state, if it were to pass, there would be no mandates for liquor stores to open on Sundays. The referendum which hosts over 15,000 members would simply allow residents the right to vote on liquor stores having the ability to be open on Sundays in their county.

According to the news release, a removal of the ban could generate over $2 million in state excise and sales tax revenues. Throughout 20 years, this could increase to $24 million and $48 million in state and local tax revenues.

“I believe decisions like this rest in the hands of voters — each county should decide if Sunday sales are right for them,” McMullen said. “Let’s give power to the consumers and business owners this impacts on a weekly basis.”

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