Cookeville Approves Liquor By The Drink Resolution

Mixed drinks can now be ordered on Sunday mornings in Cookeville.

A resolution approved by the city council allows liquor by the drink sales beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Resident Pat Wallace urged the council to vote against the measure and to keep Sunday churchgoers in mind.

“This isn’t political. This is a spiritual thing because we’re all there before the living god. We’re all going to have to answer,” Wallace said. “I’m just asking that you embrace the traditions of this county. Embrace what’s happening here when people go to church. Embrace their way of life.”

City Council approved the resolution during last week’s meeting. City Manager James Mills said the proposal to change the regulation stems from a change in state law.

“In 2000, the Alcoholic Beverage Commission changed their rules and allowed cities to sell at 10 a.m., if they opted in,” Mills said. “In 2001, the council chose not to opt in, but TCA does allow us to opt back in. So the resolution would repeal the resolution done in 2000.”

Previous Cookeville regulations prohibited liquor by the drink sales before Noon on Sundays.

“This basically brings us into conformity with all the state resolutions because the state controls liquor and the city controls beer,” Cookeville Attorney Dan Radar said. “This brings everything in conjunction with the state hours.”

The approved resolution allows restaurants to begin 10 a.m. liquor by the drink sales immediately.