Buying Beer In Pickens, Sc: Sunday Shopping Laws Explained

South Carolina has strict alcohol laws, with Sunday sales banned by state law. However, counties and cities can hold referendums to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine. In 2022, Pickens County, SC, was one of the eight counties that didn't allow alcohol sales on Sundays. However, in the same year, voters decided to allow Sunday alcohol sales in Pickens County.

Pickens County voters decided yes to Sunday alcohol sales in 2022

In November 2022, Pickens County voters decided yes to Sunday alcohol sales in a referendum. This decision was made during the general election and applied to every city in the county. This means that the sale of beer and wine on Sundays is now permitted in convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars.

Prior to the vote, Pickens County was one of eight counties in South Carolina that did not allow alcohol sales on Sundays. Four cities within the county—Clemson, Easley, Pickens, and Central—had a separate ordinance allowing Sunday alcohol sales, but seven cities, including Liberty, did not. Liberty Food Store cashier Diane Campbell commented that the previous law was "inconvenient for customers" and "hurt businesses."

The referendum included two questions. The first asked voters whether they approved of the sale of beer and wine at convenience stores or grocery stores on Sundays, and 63% of voters answered yes. The second question was about the sale of alcoholic beverages at restaurants and bars on Sundays, and 59.4% of voters approved.

The referendums faced some opposition, mainly from religious organizations. However, Pickens County voter Rozell Garrison commented that the decision was "inevitable," saying, "Whether I’m for it or not I think that its coming and it will take place whether or not some of us like it or not. It’s going to happen."

Four cities in Pickens County already had a Sunday alcohol ordinance in place

Pickens County, South Carolina, has historically been one of the eight counties in the state that does not allow alcohol sales on Sundays. However, in 2022, voters in the county decided to change this. In the November 2022 election, two referendums were put to the voters of Pickens County, asking if they wanted to allow Sunday alcohol sales county-wide. The voters decided yes, with 63% voting in favour of allowing the sale of beer and wine in convenience and grocery stores, and 59.4% voting in favour of allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars.

This change only affected seven cities in the county, as four cities—Clemson, Easley, Pickens, and Central—already had a separate ordinance in place allowing them to sell alcohol on Sundays. The owner of a liquor store in Liberty, one of the cities where alcohol could not previously be sold on Sundays, said that the previous law had been an inconvenience for customers and had hurt business. However, some residents, including a representative for District 3 in Pickens County, opposed the change, arguing that alcohol was an intoxicant that should not be made more accessible to the public.

Pickens County is one of eight counties in South Carolina that didn't allow Sunday alcohol sales as of 2022

Prior to the referendum, four cities in Pickens County—Clemson, Easley, Pickens, and Central—had already established a separate ordinance to allow alcohol sales on Sundays. However, this left out seven other cities in the county, including Liberty, where businesses were losing money and customers were inconvenienced due to the restriction.

South Carolina has a long history of strict alcohol regulations, and while there are no longer any dry counties in the state, Sunday alcohol sales are still banned by state law. Counties and cities have the option to hold referendums to permit Sunday sales of beer and wine only. As of 2022, Pickens County was one of the few counties that had not yet held such a referendum, making it one of the eight counties that did not allow Sunday alcohol sales.

The decision to put the referendum on the ballot in Pickens County was met with some opposition, mainly from religious organizations. However, the majority of voters ultimately decided in favor of allowing Sunday alcohol sales, with 63% voting yes for sales at convenience and grocery stores, and 59.4% voting yes for sales at restaurants and bars.

Liquor stores in South Carolina are closed on Sundays

In South Carolina, the retail sale of liquor is only permitted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, and liquor stores are closed on Sundays. However, counties and cities can hold referendums to allow Sunday sales of beer and wine.

In 2022, Pickens County was one of eight counties in South Carolina that didn't allow alcohol sales on Sundays, with the exception of four cities in the county: Clemson, Easley, Pickens, and Central, which had a separate ordinance to allow it. In November 2022, voters in Pickens County decided to allow Sunday alcohol sales, meaning that every city in the county would permit the sale of beer and wine on Sundays at convenience stores or grocery stores, as well as at restaurants and bars.

In 2011, Columbia, South Carolina, voted to force bars to close at 2 a.m

In Pickens County, South Carolina, Sunday alcohol sales are allowed. This means that beer and wine can be purchased at convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars. This decision was made following a referendum in 2022, where voters decided in favor of Sunday alcohol sales.

The new ruling required bars to obtain a special permit to stay open past 2 a.m. and imposed several conditions, including having trained security staff and prohibiting events that violate "the public peace." The permit also came with increased fees and stricter rules. This decision was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the measure to improve safety and reduce crime, while others criticized it for restricting late-night drinking and impacting businesses.

The vote in 2011 set a precedent for other cities in South Carolina, and it is worth noting that Columbia's stance on alcohol sales has evolved over time, with the city previously known for its relaxed regulations.

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