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PROVO — "Provo-bition" is expected to come to an end Tuesday.
A majority of Provo City Council members say they plan to vote to lift the restriction on beer sales on Sundays at grocery and convenience stores.
The end of "Provo-bition," as coined by Councilwoman Sherrie Hall Everett, would put restrictions on beer sales in Utah's third-largest city in line with Salt Lake City and West Valley City.
Under proposed revisions to city code, Provo beer sales still would be prohibited in Provo between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.
For me, this is a no-brainier.
–Sterling Beck
Provo has long been considered one of the most conservative cities in the nation's most conservative state. City officials say the restrictions on beer sales on Sunday likely have served as a concession to residents who didn't want beer sold in the city at all.
Judging by residents' response to allowing beer sales on Sundays, those attitudes are changing, city officials said.
"There just hasn't been very much negative comment about it," Councilwoman Laura Cabanilla said during a recent City Council meeting. "I think it's probably something it's time for."
Councilman Rick Healey said Provo has become a more diverse city, where not everyone goes to church on Sunday.
"There are people who see life differently than some of the majority (religion) here," Healey said.
Councilman Sterling Beck said the change would make the city more "tourist friendly," as well as add to the city's sales tax revenue.
"For me, this is a no-brainier," Beck said.
There just hasn't been very much negative comment about it. I think it's probably something it's time for.
–Laura Cabanilla
Provo businesses with beer and liquor licenses already are allowed to sell beer on Sundays.
City leaders have been talking about lifting the Sunday beer sales restriction for a little more than a month, sparked by an email from a business owner concerned about losing sales to neighboring cities that sell beer on Sundays.
A handful of Utah County cities — including American Fork, Mapleton and Orem — also prohibit the sale of beer on Sundays. Others, such as Lehi, Saratoga Springs and Spanish Fork, don't have time or day restrictions on beer sales at grocery and convenience stores.
The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Act does not place time limits on beer sales for businesses where beer is sold but consumed elsewhere.
The Provo City Council meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Room 200 of the Provo City Center, 351 W. Center.
Email:jpage@ksl.com
