Winter Park lifts prohibition on Sunday morning alcohol sales
For years, the city has restricted the sale of alcohol on Sunday mornings until after 11 a.m.
July 24, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park grocery stores and restaurants offering a boozy brunch can soon get an earlier start on Sunday mornings.
The City Commission voted 4-1 to allow alcohol sales as early as 7 a.m. rather than 11 a.m., making the time consistent with the other six days of the week. Commissioner Craig Russell was the only dissenting vote.
Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said the change was prompted by grocery managers who complained about routinely confused and disappointed customers who stopped in early on Sundays to stock up for a day at the beach or a football party only to learn they had to come back later for beer and wine.
Planning & Zoning Director Allison McGillis said Maitland, Orange County and Seminole County all allow sales as early as 7 a.m. Orlando is an outlier with a 9 a.m. start time. A few years back, Winter Park prohibited liquor sales until noon, but the city changed the restriction to 11 a.m. to accommodate the mimosa and Bloody Mary crowd at local brunch spots.
A grocery store manager, who declined to say where he worked, spoke at the meeting in favor of the new earlier time.
“I have personally witnessed friends planning for beach outings, football or Mother’s Day and they can’t do the shopping,” he said. “Many employees and customers have asked why and I haven’t been able to give a good reason.”
Russell, in casting a vote against moving sales up to 7 a.m., said he saw no need for the change.
“I have a belief that Sunday is a day of rest. I say leave it alone,” he said. “… I wouldn’t’ look to compromise my principles on agreeing to something like this.”
Winter Park to keep property tax rate the same
Commissioners voted Wednesday to hold the same property tax rate for the 17th year in a row.
That means the millage rate will remain steady at 4.0923 mills, though tax revenue will increase because of rising property values. The proposed $214.6 million budget includes a 3% or $6 million increase over the current year as property taxes remain the key driver of growth in the city’s general fund.
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Why is Craig Russell imposing his religious beliefs on Winter Park residents? And, how does his reasoning jibe with the fact that liquor can already be bought here on “the day of rest?” It seems like he would ban all Sunday liquor sales if he could!
I don’t see where Mr. Russell said anything about religion. He mentioned that Sunday is a day of rest.
Finally a political decision we can all get behind. The midday prohibition on purchasing booze reminded me of some of the bizarre puritanical laws that were on the books in New England at least through the ’70s. For example the purchase of toilet paper was prohibited on Sundays in some jurisdictions.
Regarding Mr Russell’s religious reservations, I am sure God has duly registered his concerns and his position.
“I have a belief that Sunday is a day of rest. I say leave it alone,” he said. “… I wouldn’t’ look to compromise my principles on agreeing to something like this.”
I believe there is a (CAUTION!-GRAPHIC WORD TO FOLLOW ) biblical reference for Commissioner Russell’s point of view-Genesis 2:2.
As opposed to the other commissioners and mayor who base their principles on the word of….a grocery store manager. Personally, I’ll stick with Genesis.
I don’t think Commissioner Russell is ” imposing ” his beliefs on anyone. He shared them and explained why and voted accordingly. The others voted for the change and thus a 4-1 vote was cast. Lori I could just as easily make the case that those 4 ” imposed ” their beliefs on us, if you want to go down that path. Everyone has beliefs, world views etc. and makes decisions based on them. I don’t see why you needed to make the post you did.
In the Jewish religion, Saturday is the Sabbath; hence, observant Jews do all their activities on Sunday. Sunday is not a “day of rest” for everyone. So, that is why I said that Mr. Russell’s opinion was rooted in his religious belief , I.e., that Sunday is a day of rest. Anyone who observes Sabbath on Sunday can shop on Saturday.
In order to be consistent, I suggest that the coach make a motion to ban all yard work on Sunday, or at least ban leaf blower use!