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Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday night passed an ordinance which will allow alcohol sales beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

It is an ordinance that has been signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper since June 30 of 2017, Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle told the panel and one since last month 175 North Carolina cities and counties have updated to allow alcohol sales before noon on Sundays.

The consideration of what is called the Brunch Bill Ordinance came with support from the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Gaston Regional nChamber of Commerce.

When the bill was signed into law in 2017, North Carolina joined 47 other states which allow alcohol service before noon on Sundays. The ordinance says, “Sunday morning alcohol service will allow the hospitality community and retail merchants in our community to meet the needs of their customers,” and “will benefit our small business community, bring people into business districts earlier in the day and generate increased tax revenues.”

The ordinance, which became effective upon adoption, allows any establishment within the corporate limits of Roanoke Rapids which holds an ABC permit to sell alcoholic beverages allowed by its permit beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

“Before the passage of (Senate Bill) 155, North Carolina was one of only three states with no on-premises Sunday morning alcohol sales,” wrote Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the HCVB. “Twenty-one other states permit earlier Sunday sales uniformly through state law. The remaining 26 either regulate Sunday morning alcohol sales entirely at the local level or allow local governments to opt in or opt out of a state law allowing for the earlier sales.”

Wrote Medlin: “The law gives cities or counties the choice to adopt an ordinance allowing for the sale of malt beverages, unfortified wine, and mixed beverages beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings.”

Medlin said, “What matters most to the hospitality industry is customer satisfaction. We are continually looking for ways to meet guest needs better and broaden our products and services. This law will be a big step in helping achieve that. These changes will help keep Roanoke Rapids competitive as a destination for business and leisure travelers while offering local citizens a greater variety of brunch venues.”

Ginny Lewis, president and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, said according to the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association, restaurants could collect up to $25,000 in additional revenue each year if their local governments endorse the Brunch Bill. “Therefore, we support the passage of (the ordinance) because we believe it will benefit the city’s small business community, bring people into commercial districts earlier in the day and generate increased tax revenue.”

Leanne Patrick, president and CEO of the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, “Restaurant owners have long sought the Sunday morning sales of alcohol to cater to customers who like to have drinks with Sunday breakfast or brunch. On behalf of our restaurant members located in Roanoke Rapids and other interested businesses, the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce is writing in support of the Brunch Bill which will allow for, among other things, city officials to vote to move back the Sunday start time for liquor sales to as early as 10 a.m.”

Patrick also quoted the restaurant and lodging association, which has said for North Carolina cities and towns where business is driven heavily by tourism or where local residents demand more choices, “this bill offers a positive option that can help restaurants meet customer demands, grow business, create jobs, increase tax revenue and bring patrons into business districts earlier in the day.”