| Hyrum
C-store asks council to allow beer sales on Sundays
By
Dallin Koecher
November 20, 2007 | HYRUM -- Purchasing beer and other
alcoholic beverages on Sundays in Hyrum may become easier
in the near future.
Last Thursday the City Council heard from some local
business owners who were purposing a possible change
in the cities alcohol ordinance, which currently doesn't
allow the sale of alcoholic products on Sunday. They
hope with the change in the ordinance they can be more
competitive with stores in neighboring Nibley.
"It's not alcohol we are trying to promote, just a
more equal playing field," said Ryan Kendrick, owner
and operator of a Chevron in Hyrum. Kendrick was the
main spokesman of the group representing Chevron.
Kendrick argued that the new Maverick convenience
store in Nibley is taking away local sales from his
store because they are allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays.
"If they are going to be more convenient they will not
only go on Sundays but every other day," Kendrick said.
The idea of changing the citiy's ordinance stirred
up the council members. Councilman Craig Rasmussen couldn't
sink his teeth into the argument that selling alcohol
on Sunday is the answer to Kendrick's problem. "Personally,
I don't think allowing the sale of alcohol on Sunday
is going make an impact on revenues," Rasmussen said.
Kendrick pointed out that he wasn't worried so much
about selling alcohol as much as he was about the fuel
and other things people buy when they come to a convenience
store, which will have long term effects on his store.
Councilman Douglas Stipes also agreed with Rasmussen
that the sale of alcohol wouldn't change revenues that
much. Stipes said he is aware of many Hyrum residents
who want to know what the council is doing to help out
local businesses, but the council still has to consider
the opinion of the community.
Mayor Dean Howard reminded the Chevron group that
the council was able to make a decision that night noting
that this was first appearance was to present their
plan to the council. A vote whether or not to adapt
the ordinance will take place in upcoming council meetings.
For a business owned and operated locally each customer
is important Kendrick said he just wants to equal playing
field and minimize his losses. "One customer is a great
loss. It is difficult to take that loss."
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