By Jason C. Mattox

Nearly three weeks after Batesville convenience stores and grocery stores gained the ability to sell beer on Sundays, Batesville restaurants will be allowed to start selling beer and liquor on Sundays as well.

Aldermen voted October 15 to allow convenience and grocery store sales for off-premises consumption between the hours of noon and 10 p.m. and to allow beer and liquor sales in restaurants between the hours of 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The on-premises consumption of beer, wine and liquor was delayed because it required approval of the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

According to assistant city attorney Colmon Mitchell, the sale of beer could have been allowed for on-premises consumption but aldermen tied the beer into an ordinance with liquor and wine, and approval of the state tax commission was required.

City Clerk Laura Herron said she was notified of the tax commission’s approval Wednesday.

“The restaurants can begin selling this Sunday,” she said.

This decision concludes a process that began in September when aldermen initially proposed Sunday sales. According to figures presented during an August meeting, the allowance of Sunday sales should provide an additional $100,000 in annual revenue for the city.

Despite the estimated revenue, aldermen failed to reach a unanimous decision with on premises consumption passing 3-1, with alderman Bill Dugger being the nay vote.

Alderman Stan Harrison did not vote on the matter due to a potential conflict of interest.