Orangeburg County voters to decide on Sunday alcohol sales

All establishments would need to obtain a license from the Department of Revenue in order to sell on Sundays.

Businesses with a six-day license for beer and wine would need to apply for and purchase a seven-day license for over-the-counter sales of beer and wine, which are presently forbidden in the county.

The sale of hard liquors on Sunday via “red dot” stores would remain illegal. Young explained that hard liquor is regulated under a separate state law and is not affected by the referendum.

Approval of the Sunday sales would allow restaurants, bars and hotels that obtain an additional local-option permit from the Department of Revenue to sell liquor by the drink in their establishment.

The local-option permit for a year costs a non-refundable $3,050. A weekly permit is available for $200, which is refunded if the application is denied.

If voters OK the sale of alcohol on Sunday, the new rules will affect all towns and unincorporated areas in Orangeburg County.

Any incorporated area of the county would have the ability to present a future referendum if a city or town’s leaders seek a return to outlawing beer and wine sales on Sunday within the municipal limits.

Counties in South Carolina that allow Sunday beer and wine sales are: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Marion, Newberry, Oconee, Richland, Saluda and York.

In Greenwood, Lancaster, Lexington, and Spartanburg counties, only local-option permits for restaurants or hotels are allowed. Seven-day sales of beer and wine at convenience and grocery stores are not allowed.

Wellford in Richland County passed its own referendum excluding the town from allowing Sunday sales.

Cities in South Carolina that allow Sunday sales are: Aiken, Chapin, Chester, Columbia, Edisto Beach, Elgin, Fountain Inn, Greenville, Irmo, Lake City, Lexington, Mauldin, North Augusta, Pendelton, Seneca, Simpsonville, Travelers Rest, Walterboro and Yemassee.

In Anderson, Clemson, Florence, Greer, Hardeeville, Sumter and Santee, only local-option permits are allowed.

Santee is the only town in Orangeburg County currently allowing Sunday alcohol sales. Voters in 1992 decided to allow sales of liquor by the drink at restaurants and clubs.

The present requirement for restaurants in Santee to sell alcohol is they must be able to seat at least 25 and serve hot food.

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Orangeburg County Council member Janie Cooper-Smith said approving Sunday alcohol sales will help Orangeburg County.

“It will bring additional revenue into the county and provide additional jobs,” Cooper-Smith said.

The county is losing out on potential revenue from travelers, she said.

“They ask for a drink, they cannot purchase it, so they get up and leave,” she said. “I don’t think we should run tourists away.”

“People are going to do what they want to do,” Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said. “We’re giving people the opportunity because you can’t legislate morality.”

Wright said he is in favor of allowing the alcohol sales because of the revenue that can be generated.

“A lot of it comes from people that don’t even live in our county,” he said, adding that the funds can then go toward building infrastructure.

Linda Free, manager of the Orangeburg FATZ restaurant, said she supports Sunday sales.

“We lose a lot of our travelers,” Free said. “They don’t want to stay.”

Free said the restaurant could see an increase in revenue on Sundays by “at least 10 percent.”

She said Sunday is the biggest selling day for alcohol because of football games, and the FATZ locations where sales are allowed “have an advantage on sales.”

Free said Orangeburg is behind the times and she has spoken with customers who dislike the current ban.

“Even the guests were like, ‘I don’t see why not,’” Free said.

Not all of the council is in favor of Sunday alcohol sales.

“I’m totally against it,” Councilman Harry Wimberly said.

Wimberly was one of two who voted in 2011 against the elimination of the blue laws, which prohibited stores from selling certain products before 1:30 p.m. Those included clothing and accessories, except for souvenirs and underwear; housewares; home and office furnishings; tools; jewelry; electronics and sporting goods.

The second member who opposed eliminating the blue laws was Councilman Heyward Livingston.

Livingston said again he will be choosing the unpopular position.

“Sundays always been a family day for me,” he said. “Just the way I was brought up.”

Though he opposes the Sunday sales of beer and wine, Livingston said it is important for voters to have a choice.

“I believe the voters should a have a chance,” he said.

“I’m happy that we put it in the hands of the citizens,” Councilman Johnny Ravenell said. “Just give the citizens a choice.”

Ravenell said he is not a big advocate of alcohol sales on Sundays but sees the positive effects voter approval could have on the county.

“Keep the tax dollars in Orangeburg County,” he said.

Bonnie Swingle, public information director of the Department of Revenue, said that as soon as the department receives notification of an affirmative vote from a county and is able to update its systems, businesses are able to apply for permits.

Young said establishments would still need to follow other county rules such as the ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol at commercial establishments after 2 a.m.

If voters approve, Sunday alcohol sales in Orangeburg County are expected to begin in January 2017, Young said.