Sunday beer, wine sales in York County stores clear hurdle

Efforts to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine at York County stores has cleared another hurdle.

Petitions to put the issue on the November 2012 ballot were filed with the county's Voter Registration and Elections office on Thursday, organizers said.

Efforts are also under way in Lancaster County, where a referendum to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine at restaurants has already been approved for the November 2012 election.

York County organizers said they are confident they have enough signatures to place the issue before the voters. Organizer Chet Miller also predicted the measure will pass with support from at least 70 percent of the voters.

Miller, other petition drive organizers, and members of the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce said the issue is one of economics, allowing shoppers more choices and keeping dollars in the county.

Leslie McCorkle of the Lancaster effort said Sunday sales might convince more national chain restaurants to locate in the county.

The effort is the latest in York County to allow beer and wine sales. In 2006, Rock Hill voters approved on-premise sales of beer and wine at restaurants. In 2008, voters in York County approved on-premise sales of beer and wine at restaurants and Tega Cay voters approved the Sunday sale of beer and wine.

The efforts do not affect alcohol sales, which are prohibited on Sunday.

Miller estimated Sunday beer and wine permits would raise about $212,000. Most of that money will go to the county. The state gets $50 of each permit, he said.

Chris Corn, operator of the Little Giant Food Stores, said Sunday sales are the slowest of the week at his stores and he only has one clerk on duty. He said an increase in Sunday sales might allow him to add a second clerk, something he said he prefers to do.

Organizers collected 8,597 signatures in York County. State law required 7,500. The Voter Registration and Election Office has 60 days to review the petitions. In Lancaster, organizers collected 4,770 signatures where 4,400 were required.

This story was originally published November 18, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sunday beer, wine sales in York County stores clear hurdle."