Commissioners extend hours for alcohol sales

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners this week extended the hours that package stores can sell alcohol on Sundays.

Sunday sales previously began at 12:30 p.m. in unincorporated Gwinnett

and ended at 11:30 p.m., but the commission unanimously voted to expand the times from 11 a.m. to midnight, the maximum allowable under state law.

Recent updates to state law allow local governments to expand Sunday sale hours by resolution or ordinance without the need to hold a referendum. Cities set their own alcohol ordinances.

The Gwinnett County Commission also voted to allow beer and wine delivery from licensed package stores and curbside pickup of mixed drinks that accompany food orders in certain circumstances.

Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the state began allowing alcohol delivery in 2020 and to-go cocktails last year, but local governments can opt out. People can order alcohol only from stores in their taxing jurisdiction, meaning residents of unincorporated Gwinnett can’t order from stores in incorporated cities or other counties, and vice versa.

In a resolution, the Gwinnett commission said enabling beer and wine delivery and extending Sunday sales “would expand business opportunities for local retailers and provide greater convenience for residents.”