Sarasota County bags Sunday booze ban

The Sarasota County Commission has put a cork in the long-standing ban on alcohol sales before noon on Sundays, leaving some downtown restaurants wondering when city hall will follow suit.

On Wednesday, commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance amending the County Code to allow alcohol sales beginning at 7 a.m. every day.

“I don’t see a downside to this,” said Bob Kirscher, who co-owned and managed Broken Egg breakfast restaurants on Siesta Key, Clark Road and Lakewood Ranch before selling his stake in 2013.

The change applies to incorporated areas of the county, and is effective immediately.

“It’s weird — it’s something a little bit ridiculous for me,” said Geraldine Cutelle, who owns C'est La Vie on Main Street. She said she would urge policymakers to pursue a similar amendment within the city.

City Manager Tom Barwin told the Sarasota Observer in a previous interview the municipality will likely wait and see how the public responds to the county’s actions before making any changes.

“I think we’d definitely see more business on Sundays,” said Patrick’s 1481 hostess Tammie Fossaceca.

Click here for a previous story explaining business and tourism concerns, and outlining the history of so-called “blue laws.”