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Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Aiming to Boost Tax Revenues, DC Revises Liquor Sale Hours

Wisemiller’s is among area stores that will now sell alcohol earlier and on Sundays.
Wisemiller’s is among area stores that will now sell alcohol earlier and on Sundays.

Select bars and restaurants are now permitted to start serving alcohol at 8 a.m. on Sundays in accordance with new Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration policies effective Oct. 1.

Liquor stores in the Georgetown area must apply to ABRAin order to be approved for extended hours.

The shift is part of a series of changes that will allow alcohol to be sold later at night and earlier in the morning in an effort to generate more tax revenue for the District, according to Cynthia Simms, ABRA community resource officer. Mayor Vincent Gray’s Budget Support Act of 2011 predicted that the extended hours will raise $5.76 million dollars in taxes for fiscal year 2012.

Current District policy allows on-premise liquor sales from 8a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hard liquor sales are banned on Sundays.

According to Simms, approximately 97 District businesses have filed for the off-premise extension.

Other policy changes included the extension of off-premise alcohol sales from 10 p.m. to midnight every day of the week, a modification instituted in July. “Off-premise” refers to grocery stores and retailers where customers buy beverages to take home or to other locations. The extended hours coincide with a tax increase from 9 to 10 percent.

The only neighborhood business to so far take advantage of the earlier hours is Wisemiller’s on 36th and N Streets. Towne Wine & Liquors, Wagner’s Liquor and Dixie Liquors do not plan to apply for the latest extension, though Dixie has begun selling until midnight in accordance with the July policy change.

The District has also modified its on-premise alcohol sale policy. Presumably, this change would allow earlier drinking for Sunday tailgating events such as Redskins football games.

Jerry Sullivan (MSB ’12) said he remains skeptical of the efficacy of this new policy.

“I don’t see people drinking at 8 in the morning.” Sullivan said. “Most people [awake at that hour] are going to church.”

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