Sunday Drinkers Pack Growler

The Beer Growler in Avondale Estates did a land-rush business on the first day of legal Sunday sales.

Co-owner Sean Galvin said about 20 people were waiting outside when the store opened at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. At 2 p.m., a line of about 40 customers holding empty growlers snaked around the inside of the shop on East College Avenue.

"It's been like this all day," Galvin said as he worked the cash register.

Sunday was the first day Avondale Estates and about 15 other metro Atlanta cities allowed the Sunday sale of alcohol in retail establishments. Voters approved yes to Sunday sales in the Nov. 8 election and the Avondale City Commission authorized it last week.

Only three establishments in Avondale are affected by the change in Sunday sales: The Beer Growler; The Little Wine Shop, which did not open Sunday; and Rite Aid, which didn't sell alcohol Sunday.

The convenience stores on East Colleage Avenue could not sell beer or wine Sunday. They sit in the strip of unincorporated DeKalb County between Avondale and Decatur. The county is not allowing Sunday sales yet.

The Decatur City Commission plans to amend the ordinance Monday, Nov. 21, meaning Sunday sales could start in Decatur Nov. 27.