Those who thirst for a tall, cool one on early Sunday mornings might not have the opportunity to stop at the local tavern for one much longer, officials said.
For years, several bars have opened early on Sundays to serve workers ending the third shift and others searching for a place to relax. With fewer shift-workers living in Westmont, however, the early tavern openings on Sundays shouldn’t be necessary, said Mayor James Addington.
Addington said he is also concerned about the number of people who might be driving under the influence of alcohol. People “are coming in from other communities (that don’t sell alcohol) to get a drink here, and then they are driving back with a few drinks in them.”
Putting tipplers on the road at the same time large numbers of people travel to church on Sunday mornings is only asking for trouble, Addington said.
Under an ordinance proposed by the mayor, establishments that sell liquor could open no earlier than 9 a.m. Sundays. Three Westmont taverns currently open before that time. The Pot Belly Pub, 23 N. Cass Ave., and Uptown Tavern, 12 W. Burlington Ave., open at 6 a.m. Sundays, and DJ’s, 111 E. North St., opens at 8 a.m. Sundays.
At least one tavern owner has said changing the hours of operation could hurt business.
Addington’s campaign to shorten bars’ Sunday hours is an illegal combination of church and state, said Wendy Wilson, a member of the village’s Library Board and Plan Commission. Addington is “singling out Christianity” by seeking shorter Sunday hours, Wilson said.
Addington said he sought the hours change only because a police survey showed taverns in nearby towns, and some in Westmont, already had shortened Sunday hours.
Trustees are expected to discuss Addington’s proposal at a special Sept. 20 meeting at Village Hall, 31 W. Quincy St. Village Board members are also expected to discuss liquor license renewal fees and license transfers at that meeting.