Poll Puts Alcohol Laws in Spotlight Again
Ricker's previously sold cold beer for carryout at the restaurants inside its Columbus and Sheridan locations.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association has released a poll showing more than 70 percent of Hoosiers favor allowing drug, grocery and convenience stores to sell cold beer, and nearly two-thirds support Sunday alcohol sales. However, Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers Vice Chair Jon Sinder says those numbers "miss the point," arguing alcohol is a dangerous commodity that "is not meant to be convenient."
The survey also suggests a majority of respondents favor allowing minors into liquor stores and oppose requiring all alcohol to be sold behind counters in drug, grocery and convenience stores. It poll also reported 80 percent of respondents saying putting reforms in place would have no impact on their buying habits.
At an event touting the poll results Monday, the IPCA also announced the launch of Chill Indiana – a public awareness campaign that the organization says will take a sometimes satirical look at what it calls archaic laws.
In a statement from the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers following that event, Sinder argued that Indiana needs strict alcohol regulations, saying, when abused, "alcohol can destroy lives, families and communities."
The study was conducted by Florida-based Fabrizio, Lee & Associates, and involved 600 registered voters contacted by landline and cellphone between May 8-11.
Indiana’s alcohol laws were in the spotlight during the most recent legislative session, when lawmakers approved a bill closing a so-called loophole that allowed Ricker’s convenience stores to sell cold beer. The measure prohibits restaurants from selling carryout alcohol unless at least 60 percent of their gross retail income from alcoholic beverage sales comes from drinks consumed on the premises.