(Getty)
It’s Memorial Day 2017, which is a federal holiday and government offices are closed. Banks are closed, mail delivery is put on hold, the stock market is shut down … So, what does this mean for state liquor stores? Well, most state liquor stores are closed, but it depends on the state where you live. For example, Patch.com reports that all liquor stores in Massachusetts are closed, though Massachusetts liquor stores are not reported to be state-controlled. So, if you were hoping to venture out on a last-minute liquor run for your Monday barbecue, you may be out of luck.
There are some states that do not have state-controlled liquor sales and distribution, and Legal Beer reports the following states included in this category:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Washington D.C.
Wisconsin
Kansas does not have liquor distribution controlled by the state, but liquor stores must be closed by law on Memorial Day, according to Legal Beer. Other holidays on which Kansas must closed down their liquor stores include Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Oklahoma also prohibits the sale of alcohol on Memorial Day.
Also, keep in mind that even if certain states do not have state liquor stores, many liquor stores may still remain closed.
In Pennsylvania, Trib Live reports that state liquor stores will be open, since last year, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board started opening state stores on certain holidays after the passage of Act 39, which lifts restrictions on holiday hours. Act 39 “liberalized wine sales and made sweeping changes to state liquor policies.” Elizabeth Brassell, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, tells Pittsburgh CBS Local that, “This Memorial Day is the first day that we will have many of our stores open for the holiday.” Hours may be shorter for the holiday.
