Minnesota Legislators Don't Vote on Sunday Liquor Amendment; Hudson Liquor Sellers React

Minnesota legislators on Tuesday debated an amendment to the state's liquor omnibus bill that would have legalized alcohol sales on Sundays, but the amendment was withdrawn before it could be voted on.

The current law is  boon for liquor stores just across the river in Hudson. According to Tyrrell Gaffer, manager at Casanova Liquors, his store gets 35 percent or more of its revenue from Sunday sales to Minnesota residents.

"It's good for us," Gaffer said. "We don't gain anything, but we don't lose anything either."

Gaffer said on Sundays, Casanova triples its staff to handle the influx of out-of-state customers who are funneled to his store and Spirit Seller. Both stores are just off Second Street, which is Interstate 94's Exit 1.

Just over a mile up Coulee Road from Casanova sits Northland Liquors, which doesn't see near the same out-of-state rush on Sundays.

"It's just not that big for us. We're more of the hometown liquor store," said Randy Morrissette, general store manager of the Northland Liquors location in Hudson.