Owners of some Cherokee County package stores are expressing concerns about how Sunday sales of alcohol would affect their businesses.

Russell Simo, who owns Wine Craft in Woodstock, said his overhead costs would likely increase if he had to open on Sundays.

David Mitchell, owner and store manager at Uncle Jack’s Spirits in Holly Springs, said he was against the bill signed by Gov. Nathan Deal last month that allowed local jurisdictions to call for public referendums on Sunday sales.

“We’re not set up to do it on Sunday,” he said of his business structure.

He added he didn’t believe Sunday sales would make much of a difference when it comes to generating revenue. He said the sales would “be spread out,” as there are people who would wait to purchase alcohol on Sundays rather than Saturdays.

Justin Beaulieu, general manager at Bullock’s Wine and Sprits Warehouse in Towne Lake, said his business will indeed open up on Sunday if citizens in Cherokee County approve retail sales.

He said opening on Sunday would “force our hands” and be competitive with large grocery chains, which have their largest customers on Sundays.

Publix stores are in favor of the legislation, said Brenda Reid, media and communication relations for the grocery chain.

Ms. Reid said Publix favors local jurisdictions giving its residents the power to decide if they want Sunday sales. She said the stores get numerous questions from customers asking why they can’t buy alcohol on Sundays.

Beaulieu’s store manager Steve Robey also said Bullock’s gets its fair share of customers who think it’s “ridiculous” they don’t have the ability to purchase alcohol on Sundays.

The possibility of Cherokee voters considering retail beer, wine and liquor sales on Sunday is moving closer to reality.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners last week requested staff to present a timeline the board has to abide by in order place a referendum on the ballot for voters to consider in November.

The board waited before making a decision until the Cherokee County Board of Education formally moved forward to call for voters to approve its Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in November.

The Woodstock City Council on Monday approved the first reading of a resolution to call for a referendum on Sunday sales. The Canton City Council last week directed its city attorney to draft a resolution to present to the council during its May 19 meeting. The Ball Ground City Council during its meeting Thursday will consider a resolution to call for a special election for voters to consider a referendum on Sunday sales.

Beaulieu said Sunday sales could change where people consume alcohol. People might opt to buy alcohol on Sunday and drive home to drink instead of going to a bar and driving home possibly impaired, he said.

“Hopefully it’ll eliminate that problem,” he said.