Duluth Sen. Makes New Push for Sun. Alcohol Sales

DULUTH - By now, Minnesotans are used to crossing state lines to get their alcohol fix on Sundays, but a new law proposal might open up the market to seven days a week.

For breweries like Bent Paddle Brewing Co., every day is a potential money maker.

“Generally, I think it would be nice to see the marketplace open up and allow for the ability to sell beer seven days a week,” explained the breweries President Colin Mullen.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, Duluth Sen. Roger Reinert is trying to make that happen. He's proposing a law that will allow Minnesotans to buy alcohol on Sundays.

“I think they are missing out on those Sunday liquor sales because people are going to get it one way or another,” said beer drinker Dan Wattenhofer.

If you live close to the border, all it takes is a trip across the bridge to get your fix.

“We can drive across the bridge and fill up a growler someplace there,” said Duluth native Thereasa Hansmeier. “We can go to liquor stores there, why not be able to just do it here?”

Sen. Reinert argues Minnesota is missing out on a big money maker.

When you stop into small breweries on a Sunday you can drink the beer, but you can't bring one home with you.

“Certainly, people coming down from the North Shore and heading through town,” explained Mullen. “We have gotten a lot of comments where they would have liked to stop by on the way out of town to bring some beer home.”

This is the second time Reinert has made the push for alcohol sales on Sunday.

The first attempt was made in 2011 but failed.

The legislative session starts Febr. 25, 2014.