3VAC5-60-90. Sunday deliveries by wholesalers prohibited; exceptions.

The Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association and its members strongly oppose the  proposed repeal of the prohibition on Sunday deliveries.  The prohibition on Sunday deliveries (with exceptions) has been in place for more than forty years, in response to which Virginia wholesalers have organized their business hours, staffing, and transportation needs.  The existing prohibition places no administrative burden on the Authority, but greatly impacts the independent businesses the Authority regulates.  Indeed, the Authority has provided no rationale at all for the elimination of the current restrictions on wholesaler Sunday deliveries. 

Virginia’s beer wholesalers are family-owned and operated businesses with strong ties to their communities, and VBWA members believe that their employees’ Sundays are meant to be spent with their families.  That ABC stores keep only abbreviated Sunday store hours indicates that the Authority at least acknowledges the same needs for its own employees. 

The entire burden of the proposed repeal of the ban on Sunday deliveries falls squarely on Virginia’s beer wholesalers.  As the Authority has failed to express any benefit to the consuming public or the Authority resulting from the proposed change in such a long-standing policy, VBWA and its members must strongly oppose the measure.