Ordinance proposed in Rexburg to allow beer and wine sales on Sunday

For a lot of tourists in north eastern Idaho, grabbing a beer or glass of wine with a meal is part of the vacation. Rexburg allows the sale of alcoholic beverages six days a week, but not on Sundays. Meaning local restaurants, like Applebee’s, loose a lot of money on Sundays.

In a letter addressed to the city council, Corey Barnard, the Rexburg Applebee’s manager said, “More than 50% of our Sunday guests who intend to have a beer or wine with their meal leave without eating, some without paying after they ordered their food.”

“Applebee’s loses and there is nothing that we could have done to make these guests happy,” said Barnard.

That’s why Barnard is pushing to allow restaurants and businesses with permits to sell alcoholic beverage to allow them to sell those drinks on Sunday’s. Since Barnard’s suggestion, several council members have stepped up in support.

Council member Brad Wolfe is one of the main pushers behind the new ordinance. “It doesn’t make sense that something that is working six days a week, can’t work seven days a week,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe said the current laws hurt economic growth in Rexburg, as several restaurants are deterred by the city’s ban. “I have the card of one possible restaurant owner who’s considering building a restaurant near Walmart,” said Wolfe. No Sunday liquor sales was one of his concerns, Wolfe continued.

Several other council members support the proposed ordinance. Both Wolfe, and Barnard say they don’t want to create a controversy, and are asking the community to voice their opinions on the matter.

City leaders plan to discuss the ordinance at the next council meeting on March 18th. People will have the chance to voice their opinions there.