Business Owner Petitions Council To Allow Sunday Beer Sales

Oneida, TN (2012-01-12) An Oneida businessman has asked the Oneida City Council to allow municipal beer permit holders to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The petitioner has also asked weekend sales hours be extended inside the city.

Jeremy Hawkins, owner of the Big Orange Country Store in Oneida, approached the Oneida City Council Thursday night requesting the governing body, which also serves as the municipality’s beer board, to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. He further asked the board to lengthen the hours of sale on weekends, extending them from midnight to 2:00 a.m.

Appearing before the council, Hawkins simply asked city leaders to broach the subject and consider passing an ordinance that would align Oneida beer laws with those of surrounding communities. Currently, the Towns of Winfield and Huntsville, and Scott County permit the sale of beer on Fridays and Saturdays to 2:00 a.m. Just last year, the Huntsville City Council voted to allow beer sales on Sunday.

In response, Oneida Mayor Jack E. Lay suggested the city administration poll other permit holders about the proposal. “Let’s see how others respond,” Lay commented. The Town currently has thirteen or fourteen beer permit holders.

Town officials promised to bring the issue to a decision. “We will not just let it pass,” Lay concluded.