City of Royston Considers Sunday Alcohol Sales

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The City of Royston is looking at ways to come up with some extra revenue now that it has lost some major businesses, most notably the closing of Ty Cobb Memorial Hospital two years ago.

At a regular city council meeting recently, the Royston City Council discussed the idea of allowing Sunday alcohol sales or liquor by the drink sales.

Royston City Councilman Matt Fields proposed the idea as a way to generate some extra income for the town.

With it being proposed, Royston City Manager Ed Andrews said his staff is now researching the matter.

“It was brought up during the meeting that alcohol sales could be one revenue source,” Andrews said. “However, there are some other things that we would have to do before we could consider any sort of Sunday alcohol sales, whether liquor by the drink or any sort of alcohol sales.”

Andrews said those steps include researching existing laws in Royston regarding alcohol sales in general.

However, the idea of selling alcohol in any form or fashion on a Sunday is a touchy subject and Andrews says there could be some push back from citizens.

“I and the council don’t want to bring any sort of burden on the city,” he said. “If it would be such a burden, it would probably  be killed or put aside during a public hearing. I know sensitive that subject can be. However, looking at it from the revenue side, it could be an option for the City.”

Some Royston Councilmen are already not in favor of the Sunday alcohol sales idea.

Royston Councilman Keith Turman said the city is in good shape financially and there is no need for Sunday alcohol sales.

Meanwhile, fellow Royston Councilman Lee Strickland said he does not believe it is a direction the town should go in.

Andrews said the council is also looking at other ways to save money to help financially.

“We went back and researched our budget and were able to reduce some of our budgeted items this year, noting some monies we did not actually spend,” he said. “That helped out a great deal. We’re looking at all options. We’re as concerned as any other city to make sure we stick within our budget.”

Andrews stressed that Sunday alcohol sales is only in the talking stages and no formal decision has been made on whether to go forward in Royston.

Ultimately, he said it will be up to the citizens to decide through a vote.