Just read in the Timber Jay that Ely liquor stores will remain closed on Sundays even after the Sunday ban has been lifted. Plan accordingly!

That's upsetting

Good for their families!

Just stop in the way up. Pressure might prevail and change that decision.

'Cmon Grandma L, Anyone can live one day a week without a liquor store being open.
You best worry about the Forest Service and Wilderness Watch (courtesy of Kevin Proescholdt, former head of the Friends of the Boundary Waters from Montana) making some decisions on the BWCA after a 30 month study he requested is over.

I'm not positive but I bet on the 7th day when God rested I'm thinking he took a few sips of wine.

I agree, but probably bought it on Saturday since he knew Liquor Stores are closed on Sunday!! :)

Ridiculous law that was finally changed, yet Ely keeps their head in the sand. My entire argument is based on the fact that it's a retail business that should be able to be open on Sunday if it wishes and closed on Wednesdays (for example) if it wishes.

After living in Alaska eight months a year it is always a struggle spending my winters in MN and having to plan ahead for certain weekend gatherings around their Sunday closings.

In AK you can purchase any type of booze in the grocery stores.
I will welcome the change when I return to MN this November.

Ely will adjust accordingly in time.

PS: TGO, that was a belly laugh.

quote Jackfish: "Ridiculous law that was finally changed, yet Ely keeps their head in the sand. My entire argument is based on the fact that it's a retail business that should be able to be open on Sunday if it wishes and closed on Wednesdays (for example) if it wishes."

I'm amused that someone who wears a cheese on their head has the right to call anything ridiculous!! :)

PS- It was the liquor stores that told the council they didn't want to be open on Sunday.

quote The Great Outdoors: "I'm amused that someone who wears a cheese on their head has the right to call anything ridiculous!! :)

PS- It was the liquor stores that told the council they didn't want to be open on Sunday."

Ha! You make a good point, TGO. :)

However, I find it hard to believe that all the liquor stores decided on their own to stay closed on Sunday. You're saying that the City of Ely didn't make a law overriding the new state law? Not one of the liquor stores was willing to grab a corner on the market and stay open? All in good time... and no one will be the worse for it.

quote Jackfish: "Ridiculous law that was finally changed, yet Ely keeps their head in the sand. My entire argument is based on the fact that it's a retail business that should be able to be open on Sunday if it wishes and closed on Wednesdays (for example) if it wishes."

+1

State law in IL that car dealers can't open Sunday, at behest of the car dealers I believe. Makes sense to me the liquor stores - probably mostly owner or family operated - want a day off. Does border on restraint of trade and free market economy.

quote Jackfish: "

quote The Great Outdoors: "I'm amused that someone who wears a cheese on their head has the right to call anything ridiculous!! :)


PS- It was the liquor stores that told the council they didn't want to be open on Sunday."

Ha! You make a good point, TGO. :)


However, I find it hard to believe that all the liquor stores decided on their own to stay closed on Sunday. You're saying that the City of Ely didn't make a law overriding the new state law? Not one of the liquor stores was willing to grab a corner on the market and stay open? All in good time... and no one will be the worse for it. "

Ely's a home rule charter city that allows them to have discretion over the new law. All three stores did not want to be open on Sunday so the council said OK!!!

Old hat for us Hoosiers. Other than Utah, perhaps, we have to have the most backward liquor laws in the country.

And I don't think liquor stores' desire to stay closed on Sunday has a thing in the world to do with having a day off. Liquor sales six days vs. seven days a week would be negligibly different while their cost of opening that seventh day would be ~15% greater. I don't blame them for not wanting to open, but it irks the crap out of me that several thousand constituents drive that legislation in the face of hundreds of thousands (millions?) that are opposed.

quote Jackfish: "Ridiculous law that was finally changed, yet Ely keeps their head in the sand. My entire argument is based on the fact that it's a retail business that should be able to be open on Sunday if it wishes and closed on Wednesdays (for example) if it wishes."

+1
Ignorance abounds on this issue....
If a business wants to be closed on a given day and forego the opportunity to make a profit, let it.
If a business wants to be open on a given day and have a chance to make a profit, let it.
If this was about 'family values' or whatever ad hoc reason someone wants to make up then every business should be closed on Sunday.

I would think they might stay open during canoe season,
Because that's when they make their money.
The rest of the year ,
Not so much.


My motto.

Buy in bulk.
Don't sulk.

I don't understand. Wouldn't a business want to be open on a day when the greatest percentage of people would be stopping in? I understand wanting a day off during the week, but why not make it a Monday?

Bonus: you would never have a case of the Mondays.

I don't get the 'good for the families' argument..

What about every other business open on Sundays? The family restaurant? The family barber shop?

If that's how you make a living (for your family), wouldn't you want to stay open and sell as much booze as you can while people are in town?

Isn't there an old saying ...'when people are buying hay, sell as much hay as you can'..or something like that.

Sundays are normally slow in the tourism business.
Many are leaving for home that day, and most begin their trips Monday thru Thursday.

I feel bad for the poor police, and emergency room nurses, and gas station attendants. The scourge of 'Sunday Labor' is why NFL players beat on their girlfriend.
...*rubs eyes*
...Hey guys..
...I've found out what's wrong with the USA- SUNDAY IS!
I'm building a wall around it, and Monday's gonna pay for it. -Who's with me?

Are liquor stores in the rest of the state of Minnesota open on Sundays now?

quote BLee: "Are liquor stores in the rest of the state of Minnesota open on Sundays now?"

No. Sunday sales at liquor stores start July 2nd. Micro brewer taproom sales of growlers are allowed already on Sundays however.

I wonder if Ely would change the law, at least temporarily, if the Vikings were in the Super Bowl on a Sunday? Stupid question - That will never happen.

Tomster - The More and More Reluctant Bears Fan (I try, but sometimes it is hard.)

Are bars, restaurants,bowling alleys still able to sell Sunday suds?

Yup, this is for OFF SALE only.

I guess I'm not understanding this.
I own a business and therefore have the option to decide to be open or closed when I want.
You don't have any investment in my business, are not part of my family, don't know me and don't even live where my business is.
What I guess I'm not understanding, is that you, for some reason beyond me, think that you have a say in how I run my business.
Is this correct or am I truly not understanding this.

If you own a retail off sale liquor business in the state of MN you have not had the option to decide when to be open or not - that was and is tightly regulated. As of July 2, 2017 you would now have the option of being open on Sundays with specific hours, if you so choose. you do not have to be open if you do not want to be. Apparently Ely has decided, as is the right of municipalities, to overrule this MN law and not allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. It sounds as if this was what the local business owners wanted.

The law passed with overwhelming support from the population of MN and brought us more inline with laws in the majority of other states. Your choices have not been limited, in fact they have been expanded. Seems pretty simple, not sure what your point was.

Did all the Ely liquor stores support the local ban? By Google, that is just two. Maybe three.

quote lindylair: "If you own a retail off sale liquor business in the state of MN you have not had the option to decide when to be open or not - that was and is tightly regulated. As of July 2, 2017 you would now have the option of being open on Sundays with specific hours, if you so choose. you do not have to be open if you do not want to be. Apparently Ely has decided, as is the right of municipalities, to overrule this MN law and not allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. It sounds as if this was what the local business owners wanted.


The law passed with overwhelming support from the population of MN and brought us more inline with laws in the majority of other states. Your choices have not been limited, in fact they have been expanded. Seems pretty simple, not sure what your point was. "

My point is the people who are complaining that these stores owners chose not to stay open on Sunday. If you own the store it's your decision to be open, I'm pretty sure the store owners know more about the profitability of being open on Sunday than those of us who don't own the store.

Three liquor stores in Ely, none of them wanted to be open. So the city left it alone. I just don't get all the fuss. Everyone wants a day off.

I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed?

Correct that all 3 stores did not want to be open. Over in Bemidji the city has 2 municipal
stores. Their study said they would need $800 in profit, to be feasible per store.
In Ely owners can turn down heat and coolers and lights for most of 36 hours, not
cheap to run those. Most small town owners, lest Wisconsin border towns are opting
out.

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

Agreed. There was no reason to get Big Brother involved.

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'

Something along those lines.

quote bunker3: "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'

Something along those lines."

Yes, that's the reason why they did it. It's just not a good reason.

Their town. . .their rules. Why is this even being discussed by people that don't even live there?

quote bunker3: "

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'


Something along those lines."

In other words, we love free markets, as long as we don't have to change our business models to compete with new entrants.

quote ockycamper: "Their town. . .their rules. Why is this even being discussed by people that don't even live there?"

It is being discussed because it is big news for MN residents and many people on this site travel through Ely when going up into the bdub.

I don't think anyone is personally bothered by the Ely owner's decision, but rather we're having a public discussion about their decision. Opinions, man.

quote dele: "

quote bunker3: "

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'



Something along those lines."

In other words, we love free markets, as long as we don't have to change our business models to compete with new entrants."

Pretty much!

quote dele: "

quote bunker3: "

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'



Something along those lines."

In other words, we love free markets, as long as we don't have to change our business models to compete with new entrants."

Well, that would depend who "we" is in this sentence. Obviously some people in Ely prefer to have Sunday off and not risk losing business to a new entrant opening on Sunday and the elected representatives of the town codified it. Curious dealers can't sell a car in Ely (or all of MN) on Sunday. Somehow seems odd that cars and alcohol sales are coordinated. I think this just confirms all politics are local.

I don't understand the fuss. It's only booze.
Initially, I thought the title was a bold proclamation. "Cool!!", I thought,
"Ely city council has forbidden rain on Sundays."
duh! I was half asleep.

quote dele: "

quote bunker3: "

quote Aldy1: "I guess I don't see the point of overruling the new law that passed. If you have the option to be closed Sundays under the new law, why not just choose to be closed? "

I think their argument is, 'We'd like to be closed on Sundays. We do not want a big box store or another liquor store to come in and be open on Sunday, which would take from our business, which in turn would force us to be open on Sunday to regain that business.'



Something along those lines."

In other words, we love free markets, as long as we don't have to change our business models to compete with new entrants."

That's exactly it. Also, they don't trust each other, maybe even themselves. If it was an option to be open Sundays then sooner or later one of them would be and due to the competition, everyone else would have to be too. By making it a law, no one can "cheat" and ruin it for everyone. Throw in the wrench that is a big box and/or chain store, and they have plenty of reason to want the law.

None of it was made with any consideration of the consumers though. If this were any other town, no one would know or care, but since this is a tourist destination for many of us, it becomes a bit more well known. You would think the city would have a different opinion though because they are basically saying they do not want the revenue and we should buy our liquor somewhere else before we get there. Shame though because if you include wages into the mix and it would probably be a noticeable difference in the economy up there, even if the owners don't really see a whole lot of profit from it.

quote ockycamper: "Their town. . .their rules. Why is this even being discussed by people that don't even live there?"

That is an absurd question. Safe to assume this is an attempt at sarcasm?

Nothing absurd about it. A small local town voted to not sell alcohol on Sundays. Towns all over the country have similar ordinances. I just think it is ironic that those that come up once a year want to weigh in on this. Put it another way, Ely should sell alcohol for those that can't live without it for one day... on the one Sunday they visit in Ely in the year?

quote ParkerMag: "Old hat for us Hoosiers. Other than Utah, perhaps, we have to have the most backward liquor laws in the country."

You want by talk backwards liquor laws, try Pennsylvania.

1. No alcohol sales on Sunday.
2. Liquor and wine can only be purchased in a State store, literally a State owned and operated store.
3. Beer can only be purchased, by the case, from a State licensed distributor.
4. Bars and nightclubs can sell and serve alcohol to customers but not on Sundays.
5. Bars are permitted to sell customers one 6-pack to go.
6. Restaurants can serve alcohol 7 days a week but only after 11am in Sunday.

With that 'logic' no one should weigh-in on a topic unless they have a more substantial geographic tie than visiting one day per year? What is the line? 4 days a year? 30 days? 365 days? Is living in the zip code close enough? County? State?
Country? Please let me know where that slippery slope ends in your eyes.

So folks can't discuss topics like sulfide mining proximate the BWCA, because we don't live there...Do you see the absurdity now?

You're also missing the point with this line of thinking. This conversation turned into a bigger topic than Ely selling liquor on Sunday. The conversation, despite it's simple beginnings, grew into a discussion about (municipal, state, federal) government interference in business, which, believe it or not, has an impact on everyone regardless of geographic location.

My gf and I are driving up on June 4th (Sunday). Is this ban only for liquor stores, or does it include getting beer at the Boathouse Brewpub? We'd like to get a Growler filled on Sunday for our trip starting the following day. Coming from Wisconsin the idea of not being able to buy alcohol on a certain day sounds very foreign to say the least :)

quote Choj: "Is this ban only for liquor stores, or does it include getting beer at the Boathouse Brewpub? We'd like to get a Growler filled on Sunday for our trip starting the following day."

Why not check out their website?

quote inspector13: "

quote Choj: "Is this ban only for liquor stores, or does it include getting beer at the Boathouse Brewpub? We'd like to get a Growler filled on Sunday for our trip starting the following day."

Why not check out their website? "

I looked, but don't see anything about whether they sell on Sundays or not. I figured someone on here might know. I haven't lived in an area that closes liquor stores on Sundays so I wasn't sure if Restaurants/Bars weren't able to either.

It says on the page I linked in bold print "We sell growlers to go on Sundays!"

quote BobberRob: "With that 'logic' no one should weigh-in on a topic unless they have a more substantial geographic tie than visiting one day per year? What is the line? 4 days a year? 30 days? 365 days? Is living in the zip code close enough? County? State?
Country? Please let me know where that slippery slope ends in your eyes.


So folks can't discuss topics like sulfide mining proximate the BWCA, because we don't live there...Do you see the absurdity now?


You're also missing the point with this line of thinking. This conversation turned into a bigger topic than Ely selling liquor on Sunday. The conversation, despite it's simple beginnings, grew into a discussion about (municipal, state, federal) government interference in business, which, believe it or not, has an impact on everyone regardless of geographic location."

Put your money where your mouth is. Move to Ely open a liquor store and keep it open on Sunday.

Or let me guess, you just like telling other people how to live?

Where do you live?

Many counties in Arkansas are entirely dry...no booze sales any day of the week. My wife used to insist on us going to her family reunion in Arkansas in a dry county at a church camp........fun times.

Who really cares? My goodness, if you need to swill on a Sunday, go to a local pub/restaurant like you have forever anywhere in MN. If this is a trip breaker, stay home.

I really don't care either way,but just wonder what the towns close to Ely are doing?

quote Pinetree: "I really don't care either way,but just wonder what the towns close to Ely are doing?"

Yeah, what's gonna happen in Winton?

Otherwise, Ely is sufficiently isolated that they can pretty much not worry about outside competition. I think the closest other liquor stores are in Soudan and Tower.

BTW, I'm good with Ely being a bit protectionist about local businesses that are happy with the rule.

quote ellahallely: "

quote BobberRob: "With that 'logic' no one should weigh-in on a topic unless they have a more substantial geographic tie than visiting one day per year? What is the line? 4 days a year? 30 days? 365 days? Is living in the zip code close enough? County? State?
Country? Please let me know where that slippery slope ends in your eyes.



So folks can't discuss topics like sulfide mining proximate the BWCA, because we don't live there...Do you see the absurdity now?



You're also missing the point with this line of thinking. This conversation turned into a bigger topic than Ely selling liquor on Sunday. The conversation, despite it's simple beginnings, grew into a discussion about (municipal, state, federal) government interference in business, which, believe it or not, has an impact on everyone regardless of geographic location."

Put your money where your mouth is. Move to Ely open a liquor store and keep it open on Sunday.


Or let me guess, you just like telling other people how to live?

Where do you live? "

Do you not know how to read or do you just love to jump to guttural conclusions? I literally said "If a business wants to be closed on a given day and forego the opportunity to make a profit, let it." I'd recommend you take a breath before you post next time, lest you look like a fool.

My language that you quoted was in regards to someone stating that folks could not discuss Ely matters unless they lived in Ely. I found that statement absurd then, and I still do. I never once told someone how to live.

For the record, it took me 4 days to reply to your immaturity because I was in Ely this weekend.

I thought this subject line was about rain... what's even funnier is I think rain would of generated lesss interest than booze :)

The Sunday liquor sales in MN has been fun to watch... as someone who grew up out of MN and moved back as an adult the drama with changing some outdated laws is hilarious. I remember when the bars in MPLS/St.Paul were mandated to close at 1 AM, and oh the humanity when they changed it to 2 or 3 AM (I don't know the actual close now can't stay out past 10 :) ) by the way people were talking it sounded like the end of the world...guess what happened? The police actually had less issues as the mass of drunks heading home was spread out instead over several hours instead of the bars kicking everyone out at 1 AM---who could of predicted it? How about the rest of the world laughing...I suspect Sunday liquor sales will be similar--I've heard people actually say this will,increase alcoholism???? That's a good one. I think a whole population buying too much on Saturday "just in case" promotes alcoholism much more.

If a city or store chooses to not be open on Sunday I support them as well...although it will be nice to not have to "plan ahead" like an alcoholic and make sure I have alcohol on hand. I don't drink a lot and don't keep a stash on hand but it will be nice if we have a nice Sunday afternoon and I decide to grill out at the last second I can just run and get a beer to have while I grill out like the rest of America.

T

quote ockycamper: "Their town. . .their rules. Why is this even being discussed by people that don't even live there?"

People living in towns dependent on tourism are often interested in the opinions of visitors. Some rule changes have been known to cause travelers to change destinations or routes especially when nearby towns offer an alternative.

quote inspector13: "
It says on the page I linked in bold print "We sell growlers to go on Sundays!"
"

My god... I am blind.

I looked at that page like 5 times before posting here. I guess I'm the worst at glancing through text in the world.

I'm late to the party, but here's my irritation: why must there be an ordinance, even if all the liquor stores want to be closed? That's just lazy businessmen that want a day off, but don't have the business courage to do so without getting government involved.

That's how it is in Minnesota with Sunday auto sales: the dealers don't want to be open, so they've successfully lobbied for a law making it illegal. That's the antithesis of freedom and free-enterprise, and exactly the kind of government overreach that is out of control. How 'bout this?: if you want to be open (cars, liquor, etc.), be open. If you don't, don't. But don't rely on the government or Ely city ordinance to enforce what should be strictly a business decision, especially considering the new Sunday sales. I wish businesses like this would have a spine.

Mike

quote MikeinMpls: " I wish businesses like this would have a spine.
Mike"

I think it's the the elected representatives that are lacking the spine, who listen to the liquor store owners or car dealers, possibly (probably?) accept campaign contributions from them, and hearing little resistance, vote their way. I certainly did not know this issue was on a legislative agenda in Ely town government, suspect many here did not, so they never heard but one side. I wonder if many Ely residents knew before it was voted on that it was on the agenda.

quote MikeinMpls: "... businessmen that want a day off, but don't have the business courage to do so without getting government involved.

That's how it is in Minnesota with Sunday auto sales: the dealers don't want to be open, so they've successfully lobbied for a law making it illegal. That's the antithesis of freedom and free-enterprise, and exactly the kind of government overreach that is out of control... Mike"

You've got it backwards. Look up blue laws. They have been around since the Puritans. Its just that the car dealers don’t want the prohibition to be repealed. Looks like they want the government to protect their current business models.

And here I thought Ely passed a law saying that it couldn't rain on Sundays.......

How far away is Tower? I'm sure the real thirsty crowd will make it over there.

"quote MikeinMpls: "... businessmen that want a day off, but don't have the business courage to do so without getting government involved.

That's how it is in Minnesota with Sunday auto sales: the dealers don't want to be open, so they've successfully lobbied for a law making it illegal. That's the antithesis of freedom and free-enterprise, and exactly the kind of government overreach that is out of control... Mike"

Government overreach is when the government leadership or its entities tries to control local towns, cities and states by regulation. This is local citizens voting to approve and continue an ordinance. If local citizens and business owners come together and pass an ordinance prohibiting alchohol sales on Sunday. . . it is not overreach, but the will of the local citizens. Over reach is when a group outside of the city/town tells it what to do.

Their homes. . .their businesses.. .their laws. I am only a visitor once a year. If I don't like it I can go somewhere else. Overreach is when people in other parts of the country then Ely tell Ely business owners what they should or should not do.

Common sense is everywhere. I find joy when I come across good sense!!

Thank You Ockycamper.

No booze available at Mike's on Sunday? Boo-hoo. I will head over to the Steak House and throw back a few. Done.

quote ockycamper: ""quote MikeinMpls: "... businessmen that want a day off, but don't have the business courage to do so without getting government involved.


That's how it is in Minnesota with Sunday auto sales: the dealers don't want to be open, so they've successfully lobbied for a law making it illegal. That's the antithesis of freedom and free-enterprise, and exactly the kind of government overreach that is out of control... Mike"


Government overreach is when the government leadership or its entities tries to control local towns, cities and states by regulation. This is local citizens voting to approve and continue an ordinance. If local citizens and business owners come together and pass an ordinance prohibiting alchohol sales on Sunday. . . it is not overreach, but the will of the local citizens. Over reach is when a group outside of the city/town tells it what to do.


Their homes. . .their businesses.. .their laws. I am only a visitor once a year. If I don't like it I can go somewhere else. Overreach is when people in other parts of the country then Ely tell Ely business owners what they should or should not do."

I agree with the local control issue and the going somewhere else issue. I don't agree with your definition of overreach, but that's not really the point (though I originally made it.)

My point was based on what I perceived was going on here: that the liquor stores wanted to be closed on Sundays, so they got together to ask the city to pass an ordinance prohibiting liquor stores being open on Sunday. But why do the liquor stores or the city require an ordinance to attain that goal? The "their homes, their laws" argument is an incomplete explanation and skirts what I see as a different issue. I just don't understand why the liquor stores required an ordinance to stay closed on Sunday. If they wanted to be closed on Sunday, why didn't they just close on Sunday? I suspect they didn't want a competitor coming into town who isn't afraid to work on Sunday, so they asked the city to do their bidding to keep competition out. So my issue isn't really with the city council (though it would have been just as easy for the council to say "if you want to be closed, be closed"), it's with the liquor store owners who don't have the courage to take a day off if they want a day off.

Interestingly, I don't drink, so it won't affect me either way.

Mike

The city of Ely had an ordinance that did not allow Sunday liquor sales. The liquor stores asked the council to keep the ordinance in effect and not change to conform with the new state regulation.
I don't know why that upsets so many people, plan ahead and buy more on Saturday!
Sheeeeeeesh!!!!!

When I was a little kid you could buy liquor 7 days a week 20 hours a day at any of the dozen or so resorts on Basswood Lake.

quote Frenchy19: "Who really cares? My goodness, if you need to swill on a Sunday, go to a local pub/restaurant like you have forever anywhere in MN. If this is a trip breaker, stay home."

Judging by this thread, a lot of people care. Just because you don't care doesn't make it a trivial issue for everyone else.

If the liquor stores in Ely want to be closed on Sunday they are free to do so. What they're doing here is preventing anyone else from selling liquor on Sundays, which restricts free trade and is essentially a good old boy network action.

Car dealerships in Texas must be closed either Saturday or Sunday. This stems from the good old boy network where the "God fearing, church-going" dealers wanted to close their dealerships on Sundays but didn't want anyone else to be able to sell their cars on Sundays. So if you want to be open on Sunday in Texas, you must be closed on Saturday. There is no good reason for this. the only impetus is a bunch of rich good old boys didn't want young bucks to come in and grab their sales on Sundays. Not a single objection listed to the efforts to change the laws has any basis in legality or what's best for the general population - only benefits for current owners to keep things the way they are. They're generally along the lines of "it's hard to do business with the banks closed" and "we want to give our employees the day off." Ok... you don't have to. Stay closed. But don't make it so everyone else has to as well. If someone wants to face those challenges - bravo. Have at it, I say. Other arguments were "If you look at states that allow Sunday sales, the total weekly volume of sales isn't any different." Ok.... so that's why the law should stay the same?

I don't have any sympathy for "waaaahhhh... don't take my day off!" - over the last 30 years, I've worked in two industries where weekends off were not a given, and were rarely a reality. Changing the law will not take away the day off. The owner of the business will do so if they decide to open the doors on Sunday.

Those of you that feel this is government overreach or a good old boys club. Do you feel that way about all government issues or do you pick and choose to fit YOUR NEEDS?

Years back a guy from Minneapolis wanted to open a strip club in Ely but the city council won't let him. The government says we can't use motors in the bwca. People want mining in Northern Minnesota for the jobs (you know so they also came raise a family) the government won't let them. So this is government overreach, right?

What's government and what's other people telling other people how to live?

Lack of all governmental involvement is not absolute freedom. It is anarchy

quote MikeinMpls: "I'm late to the party, but here's my irritation: why must there be an ordinance, even if all the liquor stores want to be closed? That's just lazy businessmen that want a day off, but don't have the business courage to do so without getting government involved.

That's how it is in Minnesota with Sunday auto sales: the dealers don't want to be open, so they've successfully lobbied for a law making it illegal. That's the antithesis of freedom and free-enterprise, and exactly the kind of government overreach that is out of control. How 'bout this?: if you want to be open (cars, liquor, etc.), be open. If you don't, don't. But don't rely on the government or Ely city ordinance to enforce what should be strictly a business decision, especially considering the new Sunday sales. I wish businesses like this would have a spine.


Mike"

Pretty much sums up what i was thinking, but i am not going to loose any sleep over it. There are alot of small towns that are protective of small businesses by preventing or hindering competition, for better or worse. My slight beef with the ordinance is not for my needs but the lack of opportunity for someone else.

"I just don't understand why the liquor stores required an ordinance to stay closed on Sunday. If they wanted to be closed on Sunday, why didn't they just close on Sunday? I suspect they didn't want a competitor coming into town who isn't afraid to work on Sunday, so they asked the city to do their bidding to keep competition out. So my issue isn't really with the city council (though it would have been just as easy for the council to say "if you want to be closed, be closed"), it's with the liquor store owners who don't have the courage to take a day off if they want a day off"

by this definition. . . .why do we need the government controlling how many people can enter at an entry point in the BWCA? What if I wanted to go in on Sunday without a permit. . .right after I bought my beer in Ely?

The no liquor on Sunday ordinance has been in affect forever, the city council just didn't adopt the new state law. In other words, nothing has changed from what it was before.