Sunday liquor store sales cause little commotion

Some shoppers at the Wine and Spirits Shoppe near Westmoreland Mall expected to see protesters to the Sunday sales, but they made their purchases without resistance.

Concerned residents staged themselves in front of at least four stores yesterday. At the Greensburg store, Manager Stefan Antoniak said he wasn't surprised and didn't anticipate anyone carrying signs outside.

"We're just a small-time country store," said Antoniak, manager of the only store open yesterday in Westmoreland County.

Sunday marked the first day since before Prohibition that the state-operated stores were open a seventh day of the week. The two-year pilot program, approved by the Legislature and former Gov. Mark Schweiker in December, allows 10 percent of the state's 638 stores to operate Sundays.

Sixty other stores throughout the state were open from noon to 5 p.m. yesterday, including 11 in greater Pittsburgh. The board touts the plan as consumer-friendly and convenient.

For the Westmoreland Mall shoppers, like Nancy Johnson of Greensburg, the store's opening is a positive move. She saw a new recipe while grocery shopping yesterday - shrimp and tomatoes fresco - that called for dry white wine.

She said she didn't have a bottle at home.

"I decided that's what I need to pick up," Johnson said. "If I had not been shopping already - or seen this recipe - I wouldn't have got it."

Or the bottle of red wine to compliment the meal.

Although no resistance was met to shoppers in Greensburg, at one Pittsburgh store about 50 people picketed outside, arguing Sunday should be reserved for families and attending church, not selling liquor.

"Sunday is a special day," said George Yurasko, a Canonsburg resident who protested in the South Side yesterday. "Why aren't the legislative offices open on Sunday for more convenience• Why isn't the unemployment office open on Sunday• Did you ever try to go to a doctor on a Sunday• Sunday is a family day."

The protesters included concerned residents, members of churches, and unions that represent liquor store managers and clerks. Their message was united: six days of sales is enough - Sundays are for families.

"That's more than enough time for anybody to get the bottle of Merlot they need," said Don Brown, president of the Allegheny County chapter of the Independent State Store Union, which represents store managers.

Antoniak, from the store in Greensburg, said "I'd rather not" state a personal opinion on the Sunday sales.

"As far as the convenience for customers, this is a move in the right direction," he said.

He didn't have any exact numbers available yesterday afternoon, but said sales during the first hour seemed "about normal" to weekday sales, Antoniak said.

"We had no idea what would occur," said Antoniak, a 25-year veteran in the industry. "It's all new territory. Maybe a lot has to do with the novelty of it."

Some people walking by the store expressed surprise to see it operating. A few cars drove by slowly, peeking into the window, not certain if the store was open.

The liquor board's Director Jonathan Newman said it may take some time for consumers to adjust to the new hours and advertising might help make more people aware of the added convenience.

"This is 2003. There are a lot of two-income households and Sunday is a convenient shopping day," he said. "Sunday sales is another way to make the system more customer friendly."

Bob and Denise Stout, of Loyalhanna Township, were headed to a relative's birthday party in Hannastown. On their way there, they stopped and to get the gift - a 2001 bottle of Shiraz from California.

It's certainly convenient, the couple agreed.

"Although it's kind of interesting that the beer distributors still aren't open Sundays," Bob Stout said. "You can buy hard liquor but not a case of beer."

Rich Rozycki, of Greensburg, said he doesn't really agree with Sunday sales, but with bars, restaurants and 6-pack shops also doing business, there's already enough options available to drink.

"I don't really see it being necessary," said Rozycki, who bought a bottle of red wine.

He was out yesterday buying groceries and decided to grab a bottle on his way home. He read a study that said wine is good for the heart, he said.

"If you're going to want to drink, you'll get it one way or another," he said.