MINNEAPOLIS, Minn — Wine and spirits retailer Surdyk’s excitement for passed legislation to end the Sunday liquor sales ban may have cost them the right to sell alcohol.
On Sunday, people crammed into the chain’s many liquor stores around the Twin Cities as word spread the company had opened its doors. The Sunday Liquor bill signed by Governor Mark Dayton allows liquor stores in the state to open on Sunday’s, but owners would have to wait until July 1.
Surdyk’s racked up $3,500 in fines Sunday from the City of Minneapolis after they refused to close their doors.
According to a statement released by the City of Minneapolis, “as a result of this violation, the City is in the process of issuing $3,500 in citations against Surdyk’s. The City will also pursue sanctions against the off-sale liquor license held by Surdyk’s based on the owner’s clear disregard of the law.”
Owner Jim Surdyk does not plan to allow the City to stop him from selling liquor on Sundays before July 1. “The Governor signed the bill, everyone wants the bill, they voted for it, why not be in business” Surdyk told the Star Tribune.
On Monday, Grant Wilson, Manager of Licenses and Consumer Services sent a letter to Surdyk stating the City would hand down an additional $2,000 civil penalty – for a total fine of $5,500, and would suspend his license to sell liquor for 30 days. The suspension would begin on July 2, 2017, the same day the Sunday liquor sales law will go into effect.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
