By The Associated Press
July 3, 2003

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Independence Day takes on a new meaning today, the first day in years that liquor stores will have the freedom to stay open.

For decades, governors have made the holiday a dry day by forcing 4,000 liquor stores around the state to shut down.

The Scrooge’s Spirits on S.C. 28 Bypass in Anderson will not be open because the advance notice that stores could operate did not come quite soon enough, said John Martin, manager.

"As a good retailer you tell customers at least two weeks prior that you’re going to be closed," he said.

Scrooge’s customers had been told that the store would be closed, and the management of the business didn’t feel it would be right to customers to change plans on short notice, Mr. Martin said.

The owners of the Red Circle store on Whitehall Road in Anderson plan to open and see what happens.

"We don’t expect to have very much business, because I think most people expect us to be closed," said Alexandria Stathakis, one of the owners.

State law gives governors power "in the interest of law and order or public morals and decorum" to close liquor stores. They routinely use it on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day and July Fourth, officials and liquor store owners said.

But Gov. Mark Sanford is breaking a tradition. He wanted to lift "government interference on a nonreligious holiday," Sanford spokesman Will Folks said. Bars, clubs and restaurants can sell liquor on those holiday and get an unfair advantage, Mr. Folks said.

Some liquor store owners are eager for the extra business day.

"It’s going to be real busy. I’m definitely going to be open," said Clyde Burris of Burris Liquor Store in downtown Charleston. In business for 35 years, Mr. Burris says its the first time he can recall opening in Independence Day.

But the liquid commerce brings fears.

"Most definitely, it will probably increase the risk of more fatalities on the roadways," said South Carolina Mothers Against Drunk Driving director Donna Carter of Florence. She says she’s not critical of Sanford or legal alcohol sales, but worries about crashes tied to drinking.

Gov. Sanford delegated the decision on the issue to Burnet Maybank, his Revenue Department Director. Mr. Maybank says he doubts highway safety will be jeopardized. Mr. Maybank said he doesn’t see a strong correlation between retail liquor purchases and DUI.

Mr. Maybank didn’t expect a spike in liquor sales as a result of allowing the July Fourth sales and said it probably will be a revenue wash.

Still, the change comes as the state Highway Patrol is conducting a July Fourth drunken-driving crackdown dubbed "Sober or Slammer."

Department of Public Safety spokesman Sid Gaulden said the policy change makes no difference for the "Sober or Slammer" campaign.

"Drinking and driving is against the law," he said. "We’re going to be out there."

Independent-Mail reporter Alison Glass contributed to this report.