Buying Beer In Georgetown, Ky: Sunday Shopping Laws

The sale of alcohol in Georgetown, Kentucky, is subject to a variety of regulations. While the laws can be confusing, with a Kentucky Supreme Court justice once describing them as a maze of obscure statutory language, here is an overview of the alcohol laws in Georgetown, specifically addressing the question of whether beer can be bought on Sundays.

Alcohol sales in Georgetown, Kentucky, are permitted Monday to Saturday from 6 am to midnight

Alcohol sales laws in Kentucky are notoriously confusing, with a Kentucky Supreme Court justice once describing them as a "maze of obscure statutory language". The laws are different for on-premises and off-premises consumption, and they vary by county and even by precinct.

In Georgetown, Kentucky, alcohol sales are permitted Monday to Saturday from 6 am to midnight. This applies to both on-premises and off-premises consumption. On Sundays, alcohol sales are prohibited.

This law applies to liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, as well as bars and restaurants. So, if you're looking to buy beer or any other type of alcoholic beverage in Georgetown, Kentucky, you'll need to plan ahead and make sure to purchase it within the permitted hours.

The laws regarding alcohol sales in Georgetown have not always been this permissive. In 2012, residents voted to expand alcohol sales to include package sales at groceries and convenience stores. Prior to this, package sales were prohibited, and residents would have to travel outside the city to purchase alcohol. The 2012 vote also allowed for the opening of beer pubs and the issuance of temporary licenses for fairs, festivals, or carnivals to sell beer or wine for up to 30 days within the city limits.

Alcohol sales are prohibited on Sundays, except between 10 am and midnight

Alcohol sales laws in Kentucky are notoriously complex and confusing. A justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court once described them as a "maze of obscure statutory language". In general, Kentucky's 120 counties are classified as either “wet”, meaning full retail sales of alcohol are permitted under a state license; “dry”, meaning all sales of alcoholic beverages are prohibited; or “moist”, meaning a county is mostly dry but has one or more cities that have voted to allow alcohol sales. Georgetown, in Scott County, is a "moist" county.

In 2012, Georgetown residents voted to expand alcohol sales, allowing package sales of alcohol at groceries and convenience stores. This ended beer runs to wet territories across the county line. However, unincorporated Scott County remains dry.

Georgetown voted to expand alcohol sales in 2012, allowing package sales in groceries and convenience stores

In 2012, the residents of Georgetown, Kentucky, voted to expand alcohol sales in their city. This meant allowing package sales of alcohol in groceries and convenience stores. The vote was held on a Tuesday in July, and the results were overwhelmingly in favour of the expansion, with a margin of 71.6% to 28.4%. This was a significant decision for the city, as previously, people had to go to Fayette County or elsewhere to buy alcohol, and tax revenue was lost as a result. The vote was also a response to the confusing and perplexing nature of Kentucky's alcohol laws, which were described by a justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court in 1985 as a "maze of obscure statutory language".

The campaign preceding the vote was positive and focused on engaging voters aged 40 and younger. The vote was certified on the Friday following the Tuesday vote, and the city went wet about 60 days after that. This decision had multiple implications for Georgetown. Firstly, it allowed the opening of beer pubs, where customers could sample a range of beers. Secondly, it enabled the city to obtain temporary licenses to sell beer or wine for no more than 30 days within city limits during fairs, festivals, or carnivals held in conjunction with civic or charitable events.

The vote was also a victory for Kroger, which was building a new store off the U.S. 460 Bypass. However, it is important to note that unincorporated Scott County, where Georgetown is located, remains dry despite the vote. This means that while package sales of alcohol are now permitted in groceries and convenience stores within the city limits of Georgetown, there are still areas of the county where the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

The expansion of alcohol sales in Georgetown is an example of how communities in Kentucky can exercise their right to determine whether and how alcoholic beverages can be sold within their local areas.

Kentucky's alcohol laws have been described as a maze of obscure statutory language, with over 70 license types for alcohol sales

In Georgetown, Kentucky, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on Sundays. Alcohol sales are permitted from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight. On Sundays, alcohol sales are not allowed until 10:00 a.m. and must also cease at midnight. These laws apply to both packaged alcoholic beverages sold in liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, as well as on-premises service of alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants.

Kentucky's alcohol laws are complex and consist of a maze of intricate rules and over 70 license types for alcohol sales. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations related to the sale and use of alcoholic beverages in the state. The process of obtaining a liquor license in Kentucky can be lengthy and complicated. It involves multiple steps, including filling out extensive forms, providing various documents, and undergoing an investigation by the ABC Board.

To initiate the liquor license application process, one must first possess a seller's permit. After submitting the application, the business premises must display a public notice of the application for 30 days, and in some cases, notify neighbors or publish a notice in a newspaper. The applicant also needs to ensure that their business is correctly zoned for alcohol sales. The ABC Board conducts an investigation into the business and the applicant, which can take between 30 and 90 days.

The annual fees for liquor licenses in Kentucky vary depending on the type of license and the population of the city. Some licenses have tiered pricing, while others have a flat fee. The specific license relevant to restaurants has annual fees that range from $1,800 to $5,000. The entire liquor license application process can take anywhere from 40 days to six months, and licenses must be renewed annually with a timely renewal fee to avoid expiration.

Wine can be purchased in pharmacies but not supermarkets, a law that dates back to Prohibition

In Georgetown, Kentucky, alcohol sales are permitted from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m., and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. However, under Kentucky state law, the sale of packaged alcoholic beverages is prohibited on Sundays. This includes liquor stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. On-premises service of alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants is also prohibited on Sundays.

Now, let's turn our attention to the statement: "Wine can be purchased in pharmacies but not supermarkets, a law that dates back to Prohibition."

During the Prohibition era in the United States, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, there were exceptions made for medicinal and religious uses of alcohol. One of the legal exceptions was that pharmacists were permitted to dispense whiskey by prescription for various ailments, including anxiety and influenza. This loophole led to an increase in the number of registered pharmacists, as bootleggers found that operating a pharmacy provided the perfect front for their illegal alcohol trade.

While Prohibition ended at the federal level with the passage of the 21st Amendment in 1933, it is important to note that state and local restrictions on alcohol continue to the present day. The 21st Amendment gave states the power to write their own laws governing alcohol, leading to a variety of unique liquor laws that differ from state to state.

The statement about wine being available in pharmacies but not supermarkets may be influenced by the remnants of Prohibition-era laws and the ongoing regulation of alcohol sales by individual states. It is possible that, in certain states or jurisdictions, wine is still permitted to be sold in pharmacies due to its medicinal properties, while supermarkets are restricted from selling wine. However, it is essential to verify the specific laws and regulations in your state or region, as they can vary significantly.

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