×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

West Virginia Early Voting Begins Today

WHEELING — Wheeling already beat the rest of Ohio County to the punch when it comes to allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages for Sunday brunch.

Now voters get to decide whether all businesses in Ohio and Marshall counties will get the same opportunity.

The “brunch bill,” as the measure has become known, is just one of many issues and races in addition to the historically contentious presidential election drawing voters to the polls as early voting gets underway in West Virginia today.

Beginning this morning, voters can cast ballots at their respective county courthouses during normal business hours, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Nov. 5. Election Day is Nov. 8.

All Ohio and Marshall county voters will see on their general election ballot a local option to allow the sale of beer, wine and alcohol at licensed private clubs and restaurants in the county as early as 10 a.m. on Sundays. State code prohibited such Sunday sales prior to 1 p.m. until the Legislature earlier this year allowed counties to overturn that law by referendum.

Last week, Wheeling City Council passed an ordinance allowing the earlier Sunday sales at businesses within the city limits, and local establishments began taking advantage of the opportunity this past Sunday. There was no opposing view expressed before council.

The “brunch bill” that goes before voters in Ohio County would also permit private clubs and restaurants in the county but outside Wheeling to sell alcohol earlier on Sundays — such as those at The Highlands.

“This is truly an opportunity to level the playing field, and compete with neighboring states in term of being able to buy mimosas at noon on Sundays,” said Frank O’Brien, executive director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s not against the law in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland and Virginia.

This can be an opportunity for small business to grow its business.”

Studies show the economic impact across the state from the earlier sale of alcohol on Sundays could generate as much as $20 million for the economy, according to O’Brien.

“That’s pretty substantial when you consider the state is in need of additional revenue,” he said. “This could happen without the raising of taxes, and places without brunch may start creating them.”

Mark Thomas, co-owner of Ye Olde Alpha in Wheeling, said the first week of earlier Sunday alcohol sales was successful at his restaurant this past weekend. But he attributes this to the fact it was an “historic” first day for customers of being able to buy alcohol before 1 p.m. on Sunday.

“It went surprisingly smooth,” he said. “We open at 10 a.m. every Sunday, and adding bloody Marys to the mix was not a problem. We had a higher number of customers than usual, and we sold more beer than any other alcoholic beverage. If they want to drink and it’s legal, we will serve them — whether 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.”

Weekday early voting hours throughout the Northern Panhandle are as follows: Hancock County, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Brooke County, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ohio County, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Marshall County, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday; Wetzel County, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Thursday, when the courthouse closes at 4 p.m.; and Tyler County, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today