COLUMBUS, Neb. - Columbus residents will soon have the opportunity to order a cocktail on Sunday morning.
The Columbus City Council approved liquor sales before noon on Sundays by a 5-2 margin, repealing what some folks call an archaic law. The vote was on the third reading of the ordinance, making the repeal official.
The previous law did not allow liquor sales from 1 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays, but allowed beer and wine sales after 6 a.m.
The new law allows businesses to sell all types alcohol, beginning at 6 a.m. everyday of the week.
The effort was spearheaded by business owners and bartenders, who did not see the reason for the law that was created sometime in the middle of the 20th century.
“How come I have to tell customers, no I can’t sell you this? No, you can’t drink that, but you can after noon. I mean honestly does it make sense? It doesn’t make sense to me,” says Tiffany Cech, who has been working on the repeal cause for around five months.
Two members of the council opposed the repeal of the law, as John Lohr and Beth Augustine-Schulte voted no on Monday night. Both council-members were vocal opponents when the repeal first came before the council.
Police Chief Chuck Sherer also spoke in opposition to the repeal in November.
Councilman Rich Jablonski abstained from the final vote due to a conflict of interest, since he is a partner at a local restaurant that could benefit from the new law.
Columbus Council Officially Approves Liquor Sales on Sunday Mornings
Supporters of the repeal effort are pictured at a November council meeting where the proposal was introduced.
