Florence County Council considering vote on Sunday alcohol sales

Florence County Council considering vote on Sunday alcohol sales
Updated: Jul. 19, 2018 at 7:16 PM EDT
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FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – The Florence County Council passed second reading of an ordinance to allow a Sunday alcohol sales referendum on the ballot in November's general election during Thursday's meeting.

Florence County Council Chairman Kent Caudle said while there is some opposition to the vote, there is also pressure from businesses to allow it.

"We've got requests from grocery stores and other businesses to please allow this referendum," Caudle said.

Wayne Funkhouser, the manager at Americas Best Value Inn on TV Road, is one of them.

Funkhouser said he was one of the first people to bring the Sunday alcohol sales vote to the county council's attention last fall.

"You'd be surprised how many people come in just looking for the bar and I say, 'I'm sorry we're not open today,' and they get disappointed and turn around and leave," Funkhouser said.

Currently, county law prohibits alcohol sales from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday. As a result, Funkhouser said the motel loses a lot of business with people unable to buy drinks, especially during football season and holidays

"Super Bowl was a huge one we missed this year. New Year's Eve, we couldn't be open because it was a Sunday," Funkhouser said.

Still, Caudle says there are two sides to the referendum. He admits there is opposition to the vote because Florence County is a very religious area.

On the other hand, there is a commerce benefit for local businesses.

"We do live in the Bible Belt and there will be people who don't want it, OK, and I understand that. I understand both sides," Caudle said.

"We have never, ever argued that," Funkhouser said. "This is about businesses allowing people that want to make a choice to go and consume or purchase alcohol."

Come November, Funkhouser said he hopes people will be able to make that choice, benefiting local businesses like his.

"When we're not open they are willing to go over to Horry County, Marion County or Darlington County and spend those dollars. Now maybe we can bring those dollars here, which are greatly needed," Funkhouser said.

The referendum has to go through a third reading before it's placed on the ballot for the November election.

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