WINCHESTER COUNCIL SAYS NO TO EARLY SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES

WINCHESTER, Ill. – A request to allow earlier Sunday alcohol sales in Winchester has been rejected by the City Council, leaving the city's longstanding Sunday morning restrictions in place.

Tim and Lauri Mason, owners of Rosie's Diner and B.J.'s Diner, sought permission to begin on-premises alcohol sales before the current 1 p.m. Sunday starting time. The request was connected to plans for a Bloody Mary and mimosa bar at their Winchester Bowl location.

Alderman Jeff Pittman and Mayor Rex McIntire opposed the change, citing the city's longstanding practice of prohibiting Sunday liquor sales during morning church worship hours.

The council voted to deny the request. Sunday liquor sales in Winchester will continue from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Council members did unanimously approve a separate request from the Masons to change one Class E liquor license to a Class A license, allowing package liquor sales.

The decisions leave the existing Sunday sales hours unchanged while permitting the owners to expand their offerings through package sales.

Photo: Mimosa cocktail by Rick Audet, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.