Richmond Hill Residents Vote Yes to Alcohol Sales on Sundays

Update 1 pm, 9/17: The ordinance will take effect in 30 to 45 days. First, the city council has to draft the ordinance. It will also require two separate readings before it can take effect.
Update 9:30 am, 9/17: Richmond Hill residents voted Tuesday, 535 to 239, to allow restaurants to serve alcohol by the drink on Sundays.

The ordinance only applies to restaurants where total sales are at least 50 percent food-based. 

Should you be allowed to order an alcoholic beverage when you go out to eat on Sundays in Richmond Hill? That's a question voters in the city are answering today. You have until 7 p.m. to get to the polls.
News 3’s Randi Hempel spoke with those on both sides of the issue and shares their views tonight.

Vote yes.  Vote no.  It's the tale of two sides in the liquor by the drink on Sundays ordinance.
 
"I feel strongly in favor of it. We as business owners in Richmond Hill want to be put on the same playing field as those in Chatham and surrounding counties,” explains Doug Goolsby, Owner of Beef O’Brady’s in Richmond Hill.
 
Beef O'Brady's owner, Doug Goolsby, says they especially take a hit on game day!
 
The Richmond Hill Beef O'Brady's is among the top 25 % selling franchises, but come Sundays, it's down to 1/3 of business because they can't sell liquor by the drink.
 
But just down the street at Bethel Baptist Church, Pastor Carlton Cooper, says the house of God should take front and center on Sundays.
 
“We believe that it shows a total disregard, disrespect for our day of worship as Christians,” explains Pastor Carlton Cooper of Bethel Baptist Church in Richmond Hill.
 
Pastor Cooper also tells me he's concerned about what it means for our youth.
 
"I think we're all aware of perhaps the alcohol problems that many young people have, not all young people, and adults as well,” he adds.
 
Goolsby just wants a fair shot at running a successful business all week long.
 
"We're excited about the possibility of it passing. It's going to increase business and I think it's going to bring more restaurants to Richmond Hill. It's just going to make for a better community for us,” adds Goolsby.
 
“We believe that brining in well known restaurants and national chains would actually take away from customers from our local business that have served our community for a long time.
 
The polls close tonight at seven, so you still have some time to go out to vote. Be sure to tune in to News 3 at 11 for results of the Richmond Hill liquor vote.