SUMMERVILLE - Time is running out for many residents who like to run out to a
local store for a Sunday afternoon six-pack.
Stores in Summerville and some parts of Charleston and North Charleston won't
be able to sell beer and wine on Sundays after the last of May, unless a bill
passes in the state Legislature.
The change would affect Summerville, parts of North Charleston that are in
Dorchester or Berkeley counties, and parts of Charleston that are in Berkeley
County, according to the state Department of Revenue. It would also affect the
city of Aiken and Georgetown, Lexington and Richland counties.
Store owners and shoppers have been bracing for the change since August 2004,
when the Department of Revenue sent stores a memo.
The memo followed a July 2004 S.C. Administrative Law Court ruling that
Greenville's referendum on Sunday minibottle sales applied only to restaurants
and not to stores selling beer and wine. The Revenue Department decided other
referendums, such as Summerville's, with similar language also don't apply to
stores.
Stores that got permits before the Greenville ruling were allowed to keep
selling beer and wine on Sundays, but the permits expired Feb. 28. The stores
can keep selling for another 90 days during a window for filing an appeal. The
Revenue Department doesn't intend to renew permits unless the bill passes,
spokeswoman Stephanie Rice Jones said.
Local lawmakers are optimistic the bill will pass the House and Senate.
House Bill 4421 received second-reading approval Wednesday. Rep. Converse
Chellis, R-Summerville, the main sponsor, expects final approval today.
"I've not heard any opposition at all, only positive comments," Chellis
said.
Chellis said he introduced the bill at the request of Summerville officials
who didn't want to hold another referendum so stores could keep selling beer and
wine on Sundays. Town Administrator Dennis Pieper said he has received no
objections to continuing the Sunday sales.
The bill also is sponsored by House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston; and
Reps. Annette Young, R-Summerville; George Bailey, R-St. George; James Harrison,
R-Columbia; and Vida Miller, D-Pawleys Island.
Sen. Randy Scott, R-Summerville, said he supports the bill and expects it to
pass the Senate.
Reach Dave Munday at 745-5862 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.
