Hoosiers react to Sunday sales

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Starting this Sunday, Hoosiers can buy beer, liquor, or wine from liquor and grocery stores in Indiana.

On a Wednesday morning, Patrick McLaughlin is busy helping customers at City Wide Liquor on Grape Road in Mishawaka. He’ll soon add another day to his work week.

“I like changing up the schedule. It’s nice," said McLaughlin.

That’s because Wednesday afternoon, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 1 into law, making Sunday carryout alcohol sales legal for the first time in state history.

“It should’ve happened a long time ago," said whiskey drinker and Indiana resident Matt Konkol.

Konkol said he isn't sure how often he’ll purchase alcohol on Sundays, but said it’s a nice option.

“There are times, like I said it’ll be good but not on a weekly basis," said Konkol. "I’m not that person. But I know some people are.”

Originally the law was supposed to go into effect July 1, but an amendment to the bill changed it so the law goes into effect immediately.

“That’s sort of the whole caveat here," said Errol Rousseve.

The short notice causing a scheduling problem for some liquor store owners, like City Wide Liquor owner Errol Rousseve.

“It’s gone from four months to a week so it’s been a bit of an issue to figure out our schedule and staffing," said Rousseve.

Those concerns crossed state lines.

Hardy Ramy, the manager of J&B Party Store in Niles, Michigan thinks his business will loose 15-20 percent of it’s Sunday sales because Indiana customers will no longer have to drive across state lines to fuel their Sunday funday.

"It’s something the consumers have wanted it seems like," said Rousseve. "They definitely have been pushing it and we’re driven by the consumers here in this industry so we’re excited for it. We’re ready for it.”