NASHVILLE – Tennesseans will be able to buy bottles of wine and liquor on Sundays under just-passed legislation, with Gov. Bill Haslam expected to sign the measure.
The state Senate gave final approval Wednesday to the legislation, which narrowly passed the chamber in a 17-11 vote, the bare minimum number of votes needed for approval. The House passed the measure by a broader margin earlier in the week.
Haslam expects to sign the bill into law, pending a customary review of its final language. It will legalize sales of bottled wine on Sundays and most major holidays in grocery stores beginning Jan. 1.
But for package stores, the effects will be immediate. Their customers will be able to purchase wine and liquor immediately upon the bill becoming law under a compromise intended to give the small business owners a head start. Sunday and holiday sales hours would be from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., matching the current restraints on beer.
Package store owners, who four years ago were unable to stop the legalization of wine sales in supermarkets, this year were divided on the Sunday sales issue and wound up seeking the best deal they could get.