By Bob Katzen

The Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would allow for the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving.

“Currently, 33 states already allow Thanksgiving alcohol sales including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). “Prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Thanksgiving likely dates back to colonial times when drinking alcohol on holidays was considered ‘unholy.” [The bill] would not require that a liquor store be open on Thanksgiving, but rather would give them that option. Notably, a majority of liquor stores that are open in states which do allow sales on Thanksgiving are closed by mid-day. This gives last minute shoppers the opportunity to purchase alcohol as they would any other item at the grocery store, while still allowing employees to celebrate Thanksgiving.”