By Sara StrongCustomers in Luverne may be able to order "strong beer" and liquor when they’re out on Sundays after this November election.The November ballot will ask city of Luverne voters to decide on the Sunday liquor issue.Howling Dog owners Mark Zimmer and Dan Wedin asked the City Council in April to consider giving bar owners the option to get a Sunday liquor license. The council agreed to put the issue on the ballot.All bars and restaurants with liquor licenses could apply for a Sunday permit, not just the establishment requesting the ballot item.Zimmer said, "For us it’s purely an economic issue."He said many people want to order drinks with their Sunday dinners or while watching sporting events, and the Howling Dog loses business because of that on Sunday.Manager Jodi Christy said she turns away Sunday business because many people aren’t aware that Luverne bars can’t serve regular beer or liquor. "I tell people they have to drive a few miles west to order a drink," Christy said. "I’m looking forward to the election to find out what we can do."On Sundays, Luverne bars can now serve lower alcohol beer (3.2 percent) and wine, if permitted, or sell under a "set-up" system. The "set-up" system allows people to mix drinks by using their own liquor. Christy said the Howling Dog doesn’t sell as a set-up because it would still be liable for drinking customers.The Eagles Club does use the set-up system and is the only bar regularly open Sundays. Christy said the Howling Dog will be open Sundays if the ballot question passes.Eagles manager Deb Bush said the Eagles will continue to be open Sundays regardless of the vote results."We do want a Sunday liquor license," she said. "I think it’ll be more convenient because we won’t have to stock separate beer and we can regulate what mixed drinks people are having."Sharkee’s and the Magnolia Steakhouse are closed on Sundays. The actual question on the Luverne ballot will be: "Shall the city of Luverne be authorized to issue on-sale licenses to hotels, restaurants, bowling centers, clubs or congressionally chartered veterans’ organizations for the sale of intoxicating liquor at retail on Sundays?"At a meeting today, the Rock County Ministerial Association will discuss the Sunday liquor issue and may form an opinion on it.
