Group fights for changes in liquor laws

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A statewide group continued its effort to change Indiana alcohol laws by holding a news conference in Fort Wayne Tuesday morning.

Representatives of Hoosiers for Beverage Choices spoke at the Scott's Food & Pharmacy store on North Clinton. 

The organization wants state lawmakers to modernize Indiana's alcoholic beverage laws. Hoosiers for Beverage Choices has two goals:

1) Allow for the carry-out sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday

2) Allow for the sale of cold beer at grocery, drug and convenience stores

Indiana is one of only 15 states that still prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday and it's one of only three states that does not allow Sunday carry-out sales.  Alcoholic beverages can be sold at restaurants, taverns and at sporting events on Sunday.

HBC cited the fact that Sunday is the second most popular day for grocery shopping, yet people are inconvenienced because they can't buy alcoholic beverages.

Indiana is the only state that has a cold beer monopoly, meaning only liquor stores can sell refrigerated beer.   HBC says that forces consumers to pay a hidden tax of about a $1.07 on each case.

HBC hopes people will sign an online membership petition.  Nearly 30,000 people have already signed the petition since last August.

Over 1,000 retail locations throughout the state are in support of the effort.

Many liquor store owners have come out against the proposed changes, saying it could put them out of business.