As senior Karley Siemens’ mother Kimberlee Siemens woke up the morning of Nov. 7 and heard that liquor stores were going to be open on Sunday, the registered Republican admitted that she was not shocked.
“I figured it would pass. I’m just sad that Sunday is not sacred to people. It’s just another day of the week which now includes purchasing alcohol,” Mrs. Siemens said.
On the ballot Nov. 6, voters were able to choose whether or not liquor stores would open on Sunday. Since Northwest Arkansas is in the “Bible belt,” the issue was closely contested.
In Springdale, voters chose to have liquor stores and all liquor sales to be opened and operating on Sundays. Fifty-one percent (7,892) voted for liquor sales on Sunday with forty-eight percent (7,307) voting against, according to the poll results.
When liquor stores closed on Sunday, consumers could still get what they wanted. They just had to travel to Missouri and get it there. Going out of state sent tax money and revenue across the line as well.
“Liquor stores should be open on Sundays because it brings great revenue to our county,” said senior Nick Byrne, who was in favor of issue. “It would be great for our city.”
Senior Pierce Phillips and his family are directly affected by liquor stores opening their doors on Sundays. The Phillips own Last Chance Liquor, Y Liquor, Fiesta Liquor, Liquor Depot, Sunset Liquor, Highway Liquor, Cheers, and County Line Liquor.
“It’d be beneficial because that’s one-seventh of your business, and whenever it’s not open, people drive to Missouri to get their alcohol, and the sales tax is going to them,” said Phillips.
Phillips, a Republican, doesn’t think that liquor stores being open one more day of the week makes a difference.
“I feel like if you’re going to be able to buy it on Saturday, you should just be able to buy it on Sunday just like any other day,” said Phillips. “It’s the same thing different day.”
Mrs. Siemens disagrees with Phillips. Siemens thinks that liquor stores should in fact be closed on Sundays.
“Sunday is the Lord’s day, and it is readily available six days of the week,” she said.
“I don’t think Sunday is a day to drink, but I think it’s okay to be able to purchase it Sunday,” said Phillips. “Not everyone is Christian and you can’t legislate morality even though I wish it were possible.”