In the 2016 Legislative Session, the West Virginia Legislature passed and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law Senate Bill 298. Commonly known as the “Brunch Bill,” the law authorized County Commissions to conduct a county option election on whether to allow restaurants, private clubs, and breweries to sell alcoholic beverages on premises, on Sundays beginning at 10 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. This does not include the purchase of alcoholic beverages from convenience stores, grocery stores or liquor stores. Responses from Tucker County restaurant owners suggest that passage of local legislation authorizing these sales will positively impact local tourism businesses, the workers who depend on these businesses for employment, and the Tucker County economy as a whole. The Tucker County Chamber of Commerce took the initiative and requested the Tucker County Commission to put the “Brunch Bill” on the November 8 ballet.
An independent study conducted by West Virginia University Extension Service, Community Resources and Economic Development and sponsored by the Tucker County Chamber of Commerce, concluded that passage of the local option could stimulate $725,000 in new food and alcohol sales from county visitors, plus an additional $197,000 in other economic activity. Increased sales would generate an estimated $257,000 in new earnings for local employees and business proprietors, including $217,000 in new earnings for restaurant employees. Total tax impacts for all levels of government are estimated at $72,000. New local tax revenue from wine and liquor sales are estimated at approximately $3,400.
Moving the start time of Sunday alcohol sales from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m. will add an additional three hours of alcohol sales for local dining establishments. The goal of the legislation is increased visitor spending on food and alcohol that would not have occurred previously. This new spending by visitors represents a direct impact to the Tucker County economy. New brunch spending by visitors triggers additional spending, setting off a ripple in the local economy.
Beyond the economic impacts from increased sales, the local option would generate goodwill among the visitors who contribute significantly to the county’s economy, encouraging them to stay in the county longer and/or return to the county for future vacations. As one business owner commented, “Every viable and robust economy I have lived in offers brunch. It is a huge part of food and dining culture. As our communities grow and serve more visitors, it would be a shame not to offer this.”
Passage of the local option to move the start time of Sunday alcohol sales from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m. could add to the amenities and visitor experience already enjoyed by thousands. Responses from business owners and this study suggest that passage of local legislation authorizing these sales will positively impact local tourism businesses, the workers who depend on these businesses for employment, and Tucker County.
