During this week’s city council meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Alan Getz presented an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of the legalization of Sunday alcohol sales after receiving a request from a local business.
Adams Breezy Hill Farm Restaurant’s General Manager, Tyler Lear, asked the city council on September 2 to amend the ordinance and permit Sunday alcohol sales.
After Mayor Brock Thomas asked Getz to look into the request, he gathered more data on the possible impact of changing the ordinance and presented his findings on modernizing Princeton’s Sunday sales policy at Monday night’s meeting.
He first shared the vision.
click to download audioGetz’s presentation covered the current situation, regional comparisons, economic impact, implementation steps, potential concerns, financial analysis, a call to action, and references.
Getz presented the strengths analysis.
click to download audioHe then shared the weaknesses.
click to download audioHe explained that Sunday alcohol sales are currently allowed from 1 p.m. to midnight for private clubs with special licenses, which include the VFW Post 5595, Princeton Elks Club, and Princeton Country Club. He noted the city has already established that it’s okay for alcohol to be sold on Sundays as long as you can afford to be a member of a club.
In addition, he shared the opportunities and threats analysis.
click to download audioHe noted that local restaurants and businesses lose revenue and face a competitive disadvantage compared to cities that allow broader Sunday alcohol sales.
click to download audioHe also presented the competitive landscape of cities that allow Sunday alcohol sales, including Eddyville and Dawson Springs.
Getz said that current policies have discouraged new restaurant types from investing in Princeton. He added that for residents aged 35 to 54—about 30% of the city—Sunday is a key grocery day, and 43% of spirits buyers are in this group.
He also addressed concerns about public safety, sharing research that showed Princeton’s and Caldwell County’s DUI numbers have remained low and steady since allowing alcohol sales, making them among the lowest in the region. He first shared the DUI count in Princeton.
click to download audioHe also shared the Caldwell County DUI count.
click to download audioHe also discussed concerns about community values, enforcement, and oversight, and provided a financial analysis showing that a 5% increase from Sunday sales could raise the city’s regulatory fee collections by about $10,044.
For the full presentation, click on the audio link below:
