Sunday alcohol sales in Palatka could soon change.
Since 2005, Palatka’s ordinance has stated that on Sunday alcohol sales can only happen from 1 p.m. until midnight.
But city leaders are now discussing moving that start time back so people could buy alcohol earlier.
Server Michael Delong said that would help businesses in the city limits tremendously.
“A lot of restaurants in surrounding areas -- they do mimosas and things like that on Sundays, which everyone loves, it’s a brunch time staple,” said Delong.
Putnam County’s Sunday alcohol sales start an hour earlier, at noon.
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City leaders said that is something they would look into, to have both the city and county on the same playing field.
“Small towns need as much money coming in especially for mom and pop shops, and if there’s a niche there, that should be utilized,” said Delong.
Action News Jax contacted the Palatka Police Department, which said alcohol related calls have decreased dramatically from 2010 to 2016.
There were 77 DUIs in that time frame and 15 happened on Sundays.
But father Louis Webber said he would be against any changes because he wants to see these stats continue to stay low.
“It’s already Sunday. I’m sure they can wait a couple more hours to drink,” said Webber.
He said he would be worried about more people getting behind the wheel, intoxicated.
“I think safety’s more important than drinking on a Sunday,” said Webber.
The city said nothing has been decided yet and their still in their discussion stages, and they want to hear more opinions about this before anything is put in place.
City leaders said they will start having the town hall meetings over the next 30 days.
Cox Media Group
