York County business leaders declare support for Sunday alcohol sales

By John Marks

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LAKE WYLIE— About a half-dozen business leaders from Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Lake Wylie gathered today at the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce to declare their support for the Nov. 4 referendum on countywide Sunday alcohol sales.

“It has a huge economic impact,” Chet Miller, campaign co-chairman for Citizens & Business for York County, said of countywide Sunday sales. “Needless to say it generates more jobs.”

The two-year process required supporters of the proposal to gather 7,500 signatures before a ballot could be presented countywide. The group gathered 9,000 signatures touting positives like increased tax revenue, decreased unemployment, recruiting of national restaurants and—they say most importantly—personal choice.

Jeff Brown, managing partner at Outback Steakhouse in Rock Hill, said his business is a testament to the need for change. After years of not being allowed Sunday sales, Outback began serving alcohol when Rock Hill passed a similar ruling allowing the practice. While Sunday once was the least busy day of the week, now it ranks behind only Saturday and Friday, Brown said.

“And less than 10 percent of that increase is alcohol,” he said.

Voters will decide the issue Nov. 4.