Village Decides Not to Allow 6 a.m. Liquor Sales

Beer sales at 6 a.m.? Not in Sussex, at least not now. But officials left open the possibility of revisiting the matter.

A new state law permits the Class A retail sale of beer and liquor at 6 a.m., two hours earlier than the previous law. But municipalities still retain the right to enforce tighter restrictions. Sussex permits sales between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Village Administrator Jeremy Smith said a "large retailer" he declined to name had pushed for the extra two hours.

However, members of the Finance and Personnel Committee said they see no need to expand the hours during Tuesday night’s meeting.

“It really sounds like there’s no dire cry to change it,” said committee member Jason Wegner. “I’m sure there’s area communities that will gain value from selling liquor earlier in the morning, but I don’t think we’d gain anything from it.”

Smith also cited one small business that agrees. Smith said this particular retailer contacted the village asking if it was considering moving the sale time to 6 a.m. because it would need to staff accordingly. The business also would rather not see it changed, Smith said.

The committe tabled the ordinance. However, if officials someday hear an outcry for earlier liquor sales, they’ll be able to come back to the topic because this ordinance wasn’t specifically denied.

“I say we wait to hear what the community wants,” said Bob Zarzynski.

Milton, near Janesville, is one community that made the change, according to the Janesville Gazette.

Although setting aside the ordinance for a future evaluation was unanimously approved, all committee members agree now is not the time for a change.

“I don’t think anyone needs to change it,” Pat Tetzlaff said. “I don’t think anyone’s deprived.”

The village will either send out a letter or have Sussex police visit each liquor retailer to give a “friendly reminder” that the local government has power over the state, and the sale hours remain from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.