two of the three county commissioners need to call for a vote I believe

That's the trick. Oklahoma and Tulsa, and probably Cleveland counties will probably hold votes sooner rather than later, if there is enough demand. But for most of the state it could be decades before Sunday sales.

I hope you're wrong, but see where you're coming from. Counties took decades to legalize liquor by the drink on Sundays after implementing it for the rest of the week. When they did that, some didn't include holidays, so now if high point beer is counted the same as alcohol, bars and restaurants will have to be totally dry on holidays. Visitors from out of state will wonder, if they have been plunged back to the days of prohibition. So in some parts of this bible belt you can, strangely enough, be served a drink on the Lord's Day, but not when it's a holiday.

It changed to two licenses.
I thought that might have been the case after the last election.

. . .don't want to "jinx" anything, but just curious. . .have seen so, so many different labels (both vintners and offerings) than ever before.
Found at WF. . . "Merf". . either a cab or pinot (can't remember, bottle long gone!), delightful at $15. . .and even at Crest (23rd/Meridian), Menage a Trois. red/$7.98 and Silk /$8.08. . . pretty decent everyday "quaffer". . and prices are (currently) lower than Total Wine/Denton. Think this is a "forever" thing. . or just a "buy-in". . and why the plethora of different labels??

OK. I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong. I was a huge believer that most domestic beers, especially light beers, could not possibly taste that much different. I went toe to toe with many people on the issue. I was wrong. I drink Ultra where it’s on tap and Coors Light when it’s not. Both are noticeably different. Jury is still out whether I like the lighter taste or the heavier taste. Not that it really matters.

Anyone know when we will get to vote to let liquor stores stay open Sunday?

OK. I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong. I was a huge believer that most domestic beers, especially light beers, could not possibly taste that much different. I went toe to toe with many people on the issue. I was wrong. I drink Ultra where it’s on tap and Coors Light when it’s not. Both are noticeably different. Jury is still out whether I like the lighter taste or the heavier taste. Not that it really matters.

I agree.

I personally even noticed a slight taste difference with Bud Light Lime, and that is one of the ones that should be negligible given that the ABV difference is something like 0.2%.

Most big-name domestic beers though are still absolute sh*t even at full-strength. They just aren't quite as bad as they are at 3.2%.

Anyone know when we will get to vote to let liquor stores stay open Sunday?

Last I talked to the manager at my neighborhood store, they said they were working to try to get it on a future ballot, but it might be over a year or two before that happens. I didn't get (or don't remember) any specifics, but he made it seem like it had to be a petition just to get it on the ballot. At least, that's what I remember from the interaction.

TLDR: there's no set date, it's up to each county to have a vote on their own, potentially by a petition from the people, as opposed to being driven by county leadership

Last I talked to the manager at my neighborhood store, they said they were working to try to get it on a future ballot, but it might be over a year or two before that happens. I didn't get (or don't remember) any specifics, but he made it seem like it had to be a petition just to get it on the ballot. At least, that's what I remember from the interaction.

TLDR: there's no set date, it's up to each county to have a vote on their own, potentially by a petition from the people, as opposed to being driven by county leadership

That's interesting to hear. Several years ago, when Andrew Rice proposed legislation allowing liquor stores to open on Sunday, liquor store owners were staunchly opposed. They said they enjoyed have the day off and claimed it would unsustainably raise their overhead. I guess some are changing their tunes now that the consumer finally has a choice.

Well, they're not some monolithic entity.

Well, they're not some monolithic entity.

Well, they sure acted liked it for the last 10 years of the alcohol reform fight.

Well, they sure acted liked it for the last 10 years of the alcohol reform fight.

Nah. 99% of liquor stores gave no input and weren't involved at all. This is just once again the myth of the "great and all powerful 'liquor lobby'." And regardless of what they themselves think, the Naifehs are not the liquor industry in Oklahoma and don't speak for the retailers en mass.

Nah. 99% of liquor stores gave no input and weren't involved at all. This is just once again the myth of the "great and all powerful 'liquor lobby'." And regardless of what they themselves think, the Naifehs are not the liquor industry in Oklahoma and don't speak for the retailers en mass.

Straw man.

Straw man.

Yeah, don't let the facts given get in the way of a good story.

Nah. 99% of liquor stores gave no input and weren't involved at all. This is just once again the myth of the "great and all powerful 'liquor lobby'." And regardless of what they themselves think, the Naifehs are not the liquor industry in Oklahoma and don't speak for the retailers en mass.

The liquor lobby never was the liquor stores, it was the distributors. Central, Jarboe etc.

Straw man.

I don't think you know what a straw man is.

I don't think you know what a straw man is.

Actually, I know exactly what it is.

My statement that it was interesting that, years ago, liquor store owners were opposed to opening on Sunday because they enjoyed the day off and were concerned about additional overhead was met with the response "they aren't some monolithic entity." To which I replied: They sure acted like it during the alcohol reform battle.

Jerry then responded with a rebuttal of the "myth of the great and all powerful liquor lobby" and the Naifehs speaking for the liquor industry. That is the definition of a straw man. He was rebutting an argument that wasn't made, since I wasn't arguing--nor was anyone else, unless their posts are hidden from me-- that there is a great and all powerful lobby or that the Naifehs speak for the industry.

Well, regardless of how they felt in the past, it has been argued on this thread and others that those who wish to stay in business must evolve and adapt. Now that other retailers can sell strong cold beer and wine on Sundays, liquor stores, though they may have enjoyed having the day off, probably want a portion of those sales too. If it suddenly became normal for people at my company to work on Sundays, and there was someone I was in competition for a promotion with that was fine working on Sundays, well I would have to become fine with it too, if I wanted to keep my job.

The liquor lobby never was the liquor stores, it was the distributors. Central, Jarboe etc.

Exactly. Most liquor stores were too busy trying to run a small family business. Most of the ones we knew including us were ambivalent on Sundays. It wasn't all high a priority as other items but I didnt know a single retailer who opposed it outright.

Anyone who makes broad statements that the stores all felt one way, or they acted like a monolithic group, is fooling themselves. There's a reason only like 5 percent of stores joined the retail association. Go figure, 700 plus small retailers dont tend to all agree on about anything. Like herding cats.

Well, regardless of how they felt in the past, it has been argued on this thread and others that those who wish to stay in business must evolve and adapt. Now that other retailers can sell strong cold beer and wine on Sundays, liquor stores, though they may have enjoyed having the day off, probably want a portion of those sales too. If it suddenly became normal for people at my company to work on Sundays, and there was someone I was in competition for a promotion with that was fine working on Sundays, well I would have to become fine with it too, if I wanted to keep my job.

I think it'll be a mixed adoption. It'll have to be driven by the larger stores, who have the volume to justify opening on Sundays. For a large percentage of stores, Sundays may not make sense. I was curious and ran the numbers for my old shop, and we'd have to be sure of at least 2k in Sunday sales to even justify opening, and even then we're not making much money. The exception would be a Sunday before a holiday, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day.

I think the holidays will be interesting to watch this year. I'd be shocked if most shops weren't open every available hour in the few days before Christmas and New Years. As well as Thanksgiving Eve. Those days represented about 15% of our total annual revenues, so adding to those hours just makes sense. But boy, I'm glad I'm not in the business now. I'm too old for that many hours with that much volume in a few days.

I think it'll be a mixed adoption. It'll have to be driven by the larger stores, who have the volume to justify opening on Sundays. For a large percentage of stores, Sundays may not make sense. I was curious and ran the numbers for my old shop, and we'd have to be sure of at least 2k in Sunday sales to even justify opening, and even then we're not making much money. The exception would be a Sunday before a holiday, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day.


That's how it's been in Kansas since they adopted Sunday sales, though I'll point out they didn't pass the measure allowing wine sales in grocery stores. Regardless, the store owners decide whether or not they can justify being open on a Sunday.

Another question I just thought of. Another thread is discussing businesses running out of things. I was always told by bars that if they ran out of one liquor they could only get it from their distributor and were stuck until that distributor would deliver. Is that still the case?

Went to play Lincoln Golf course today. After the round, me and a
couple of friends a mine went to buy a beer and was told that they cannot sell beer on election day. Also told that when you buy beer you can only buy 2 at a time and they have to open both. What the hell is going on with this? It is only beer not hard Liquor. What a Joke!!!

Went to play Lincoln Golf course today. After the round, me and a
couple of friends a mine went to buy a beer and was told that they cannot sell beer on election day. Also told that when you buy beer you can only buy 2 at a time and they have to open both. What the hell is going on with this? It is only beer not hard Liquor. What a Joke!!!I believe both of those things have been the law since before the change. It’s just that most places didn’t enforce them. I’m sure that the opening part was law. I often buy a bucket if I’m going to shoot pool for awhile and have always been told that they have to open them or it’s considered carry out which is illegal. The Chesapeak and Cox have always only allowed two at a time supposedly because it was the law.

are liquor stores open today? i didn't get a chance to see if that part of the law changed in october, too.

are liquor stores open today? i didn't get a chance to see if that part of the law changed in october, too.

That law was changed a couple of years ago... they’re open

That law was changed a couple of years ago... they’re open

ahh... gotcha. didn't even realize that. thanks for the info!

Went to play Lincoln Golf course today. After the round, me and a
couple of friends a mine went to buy a beer and was told that they cannot sell beer on election day. Also told that when you buy beer you can only buy 2 at a time and they have to open both. What the hell is going on with this? It is only beer not hard Liquor. What a Joke!!!

It's not illegal to sell liquor by the drink on election days. Has never been since liquor by the drink was legalized in the 80s. As for liquor stores, that was illegal until 2007 or so.

what's confusing at the city golf courses, is that they have to open cans of beer (Which is 2 at a time) for you. You cannot buy 12 packs or 6 packs. Is this a City ordinance since they own the courses paid by our Tax dollars? Before October 1st you could by beer Not Opened and take on the course. What a Joke this state is sometimes.

It was probably 3.2 beer then. They were operating under a beer license. Not a liquor license.

Well I'll be sneaking those cold ones on now. Cart girls are not going to make any money now.

Many years ago when I worked for Kerr-McGee I was in Hooker Texas on an election day. I was stuck there with the biggest a-hole for a co-worker I have ever met and went to a bar connected to the motel just as soon as I could lose the guy. Only to find out they couldn’t serve alcohol. DAMN, the worst I’ve ever needed a beer and I couldn’t get one.

https://fox13now.com/2019/02/11/lds-church-says-it-opposes-bill-eliminating-3-2-beer-in-utah/

Will be interesting to see how Utah handles this compared to Oklahoma. They are now the last bastion of 3.2 beer.

https://fox13now.com/2019/02/11/lds-church-says-it-opposes-bill-eliminating-3-2-beer-in-utah/

Will be interesting to see how Utah handles this compared to Oklahoma. They are now the last bastion of 3.2 beer.

i thought Colorado, Kansas and Minnesota were still 3.2 in gas stations and grocery stores

i thought Colorado, Kansas and Minnesota were still 3.2 in gas stations and grocery stores

Colorado and Kansas have repealed it. Minnesota still has it but their percentage of 3.2 beer sales is negligible at something like 4% or less of all beer sales.

The proposed Utah reform only increases the ABV limit for grocery and convenience stores to 4.8%, which is still very low. I have to say I'm pretty satisfied overall with Oklahoma's new laws.

Colorado and Kansas have repealed it. Minnesota still has it but their percentage of 3.2 beer sales is negligible at something like 4% or less of all beer sales.

The proposed Utah reform only increases the ABV limit for grocery and convenience stores to 4.8%, which is still very low. I have to say I'm pretty satisfied overall with Oklahoma's new laws.

cool. thanks for the info

Colorado and Kansas have repealed it. Minnesota still has it but their percentage of 3.2 beer sales is negligible at something like 4% or less of all beer sales.

The proposed Utah reform only increases the ABV limit for grocery and convenience stores to 4.8%, which is still very low. I have to say I'm pretty satisfied overall with Oklahoma's new laws.

It actually increases it to 4.8 abW. Which is 6.01 ABV. Which covers almost all large scale domestic products

It actually increases it to 4.8 abW. Which is 6.01 ABV. Which covers almost all large scale domestic products

i've never understood the ABW use in laws... like who measures alcohol this way in the past 90 years

I was forced to go to Chili's this past weekend with some folks and noticed on the Beer board they had the Domestics on their beer board still at 3.2%. Its a hand written chalk board with beer selections. made me wonder if its just old stock or what?

I was forced to go to Chili's this past weekend with some folks and noticed on the Beer board they had the Domestics on their beer board still at 3.2%. Its a hand written chalk board with beer selections. made me wonder if its just old stock or what?

very possible... i know of another place that is still getting 3.2 from their distributor, because they are getting an amazing deal on it, because the distributor apparently has old stock... Chili's might be doing something similar.

ahh that makes perfect sense. that they would get a good deal getting rid of that stock. I normally wouldn't pay much attention but when I saw the 3.2 listed I was like.. hmmmm

So, is it still true that you can only buy 2 beers at a time? And they have to open them for you? For the Golf Courses, this has to suck big time.

3.2 is still around in gas stations also, the other weekend my buddy grabbed a 24 pack of Busch gold tops and a couple beers in I looked at the can and noticed we were drinking 3.2.

Any word on when we are going to vote again to allow liquor store sales on Sunday?

3.2 is still around in gas stations also, the other weekend my buddy grabbed a 24 pack of Busch gold tops and a couple beers in I looked at the can and noticed we were drinking 3.2.

Any word on when we are going to vote again to allow liquor store sales on Sunday?

That is county by county. Not sure if it is even on the ballots coming up or not.

3.2 is still around in gas stations also, the other weekend my buddy grabbed a 24 pack of Busch gold tops and a couple beers in I looked at the can and noticed we were drinking 3.2.

Any word on when we are going to vote again to allow liquor store sales on Sunday?

I'm surprised places are still selling 3.2. Wasn't the reason most places were out of beer back in September was because a shortage of 3.2 availability?

Went to play Hefner Golf course this weekend. New law only allows 2 beers at purchase. Okay, so I pick the 24 ounce can of Coors and guy behind the counter says, You want to guess of the price of that? I said $6.00 he laughed and said $9.00 each and change. What the hell is going on? This is going to hurt them. Need to open a Marijuana Dispensary. Be cheaper

Went to play Hefner Golf course this weekend. New law only allows 2 beers at purchase. Okay, so I pick the 24 ounce can of Coors and guy behind the counter says, You want to guess of the price of that? I said $6.00 he laughed and said $9.00 each and change. What the hell is going on? This is going to hurt them. Need to open a Marijuana Dispensary. Be cheaper

well there is a higher tax rate on them now... but they are basically choosing to charge more, because they believe they can. if it ends up hurting them, that is on them for not adjusting their prices. while yes, the tax rate on the beer is higher... there was no need for them to up the price $3 per can. either they chose to make that choice, or their distributor did, and now they they are able to change distributors, if it's the later, then they need to do their due diligence and research and make sure they are getting the best price they can

Went to play Hefner Golf course this weekend. New law only allows 2 beers at purchase. Okay, so I pick the 24 ounce can of Coors and guy behind the counter says, You want to guess of the price of that? I said $6.00 he laughed and said $9.00 each and change. What the hell is going on? This is going to hurt them. Need to open a Marijuana Dispensary. Be cheaper

That's a pretty standard cost for the 24oz beers at any sporting event or wherever I see them.

That's a pretty standard cost for the 24oz beers at any sporting event or wherever I see them.

I can see that price if I was watching NBA or MLB but a Municipal golf course. Wow

I'm sure they're selling it at this price point because they can (and people are paying it). It is high, although I wish I still had access to check the wholesale pricing right now.

I'm sure they're selling it at this price point because they can (and people are paying it). It is high, although I wish I still had access to check the wholesale pricing right now.

Guy at the register said there beer sales are in the tank. He's not setting the prices. Dollar general has 25 ounce Budweisers for 2.55 before tax. Don't they all get their Beer for the same distribution? I remember the Mansion of a house on Sooner and Britton rd. was Mr. Cresap and I thought he was over the Budweiser distribution back a few years.

Beer on the golf course has always been expensive. Cart girls roll up and a 12oz can is going to cost you 3 or 4 bucks.

Guy at the register said there beer sales are in the tank. He's not setting the prices. Dollar general has 25 ounce Budweisers for 2.55 before tax. Don't they all get their Beer for the same distribution? I remember the Mansion of a house on Sooner and Britton rd. was Mr. Cresap and I thought he was over the Budweiser distribution back a few years.

They sold it several years ago. The beer distributor...not the house

They sold it several years ago. The beer distributor...not the house
That's what I thought about him selling the distributorship. Worked for a Local window company that did his windows. David Giasson built the house and he was always on site, and one of the best builders in OKC at the time.

Has anybody noticed recently that a lot of beer brands, especially foreign imports, have disappeared from liquor store shelves? Grocery stores, in typical OKC fashion, mostly only sell the basics. I went to Byron's the other day because I wanted to try something new and was surprised how small their beer selection was.

Are these brands gone from Oklahoma permanently or is it just a temporary adjustment? What liquor stores currently have the best beer selection?

Try Freeman's on 43rd and Western

Try Freeman's on 43rd and Western

Seconded, they have a massive beer selection, wish I could handle carbs enough to frequent them, but I'd end up dead from diabetes if I tried all the beers they have that I want to try.

Has anybody noticed recently that a lot of beer brands, especially foreign imports, have disappeared from liquor store shelves? Grocery stores, in typical OKC fashion, mostly only sell the basics. I went to Byron's the other day because I wanted to try something new and was surprised how small their beer selection was.

Are these brands gone from Oklahoma permanently or is it just a temporary adjustment? What liquor stores currently have the best beer selection?
I don’t really know but I would think someone with the volume of Byron’s may stock what they move a lot of and drop what might sell but not in quantity. Smaller places might specialize in variety over volume as long as they can stay afloat that way.

Has anybody noticed recently that a lot of beer brands, especially foreign imports, have disappeared from liquor store shelves? Grocery stores, in typical OKC fashion, mostly only sell the basics. I went to Byron's the other day because I wanted to try something new and was surprised how small their beer selection was.

Are these brands gone from Oklahoma permanently or is it just a temporary adjustment? What liquor stores currently have the best beer selection?

I haven't really kept up with the beer market but since the liquor laws changed, Bacchus on N. May (just South of 178th) installed a 33 degree beer cave that seems to have a good selection of imported beers and craft/micro-brewery beers. They generally have a wide variety from Samuel Smith Brewery and all four varieties from Chimay. There are a lot that I haven't paid close attention to but seem to be European in origin. I know for sure they carry Lindeman's lambics.

The only other liquor stores I've been in since the laws changed had only a fraction of the selection that Bacchus has. I'm very happy that it's close by and I've enjoyed trying new beers. So far, my tastes have run more toward English Ales.

I love Freemans. Wish they had more refrigerators. Used to frequent the Cellar, or Grand Cru, or whatever they call it nowadays at Britton and May. They have a very good beer selection, including international, but they generally have higher prices as well.

Since I've moved to Edmond I've had the best experiences at Drew's (I35 and 2nd st) and 2nd Street Wine (in the parking lot of Target/Lowes on 2nd St). They have a pretty good selection and knowledgeable staff when it comes to beer. I also tend to look for more local stuff and both of those places stock a lot of that.