Local Stores Scoff at Sunday Liquor Sales

Local liquor stores will be closed tomorrow despite a new law allowing businesses to sell alcohol on Sunday.

On Thursday, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy amending Connecticut’s Blue Laws, giving permittees the option of selling liquor and beer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

But store owners and managers alike in Killingworth, Durham and Middlefield showed their frustration this week when asked whether they planned to open their doors on Sunday.

"Nope. I want a day off," said Joe Canto, owner of  in Middlefield.

owner Linda Mone took a more philosophical approach.

"To me, Sunday sales was the ruination of the American family. People used to go visiting friends, family, grandmother, grandfather and now people are just all over the place. There's just no reason for it. So much power and energy is being wasted," said Mone.

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The law  of selling on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, and on Mondays following a Christmas or New Year's Day holiday that falls on a Sunday.

While Mone said she is planning to open the Sunday before Christmas, she's not ready to commit to permanently changing her hours.

"What [Malloy's] trying is to do away with the family liquor stores. He's trying to move all the business over to the big box stores because those are the people that have supported him in the past," she said.

Store owners are weary of opening on Sunday because for most it would mean either having to hire new employees or work more hours. 

"We have a family, we have kids. We need a day off too," said Nital Patel, owner of Country Package Store in Killingworth.

Jay Bidja of in Durham and Satish Patel of in Middlefield both made the decision this week to remain closed on Sunday, each showing pride in the camaraderie among store owners who appear to have come together in the face of change.

"I feel bad for some of my customers, but I'm here 13 hours a day already," said Mone, who argued that despite claims by the governor and supporters of the law that adding Sunday sales would increase revenue, stores expected to sell the same amount.

"This is really for the border stores," she said.

Editor's note: could not be reached for comment for this article.