Two Alabama towns seek state approval for Sunday alcohol sales

Stephen Waldron checks the shelves Wednesday at Hillbilly's Liquor in Dunlap, Tenn. Voters in Tennessee and North Georgia have relaxed their attitudes about legal alcohol sales in recent years, adopting package sales and liquor by the drink in restaurants and bars. Stephen Waldron checks the shelves Wednesday at Hillbilly's Liquor in Dunlap, Tenn. Voters in Tennessee and North Georgia have relaxed their attitudes about legal alcohol sales in recent years, adopting package sales and liquor by the drink in restaurants and bars.

By Ben Benton March 15, 2015 3 min read

Alcohol is sold in this file photo.

Scottsboro, Ala., officials are hoping a Sunday alcohol sales resolution passed by the City Council and sent to the Alabama General Assembly for approval could boost business and open the door for more tourism revenue and business recruitment.

“The bill was introduced by our legislative delegation this week,” Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter said.

The trio of lawmakers representing Jackson County — Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, and state House reps. Tommy Hanes, R-Bryant, and Richie Whorton, R-Owens Crossroads — already back the measure and Potter expects the rest of the Legislature to follow their lead.

Scottsboro City Council members unanimously approved the resolution last month and sent it to the General Assembly. The neighboring town of Hollywood, fresh off a move to allow alcohol sales in town, wants to allow Sunday sales, too.

Like neighboring communities that already have Sunday sales, Scottsboro and Hollywood hope to take advantage of their location along U.S. Highway 72. The four-lane highway bisects Jackson County and links tourists to Chattanooga and Huntsville.