BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Inez Commission shot down Tobacco Plus owner Jason Hammond’s request that the city amend its alcoholic beverage ordinance to allow malt beverage sales on Sundays.

Hammond stated during a city meeting Thursday that allowing Sunday sales would prevent his customers from having to travel to Warfield and would keep spending within the city.

After only recently beginning to sell liquor along with malt beverages, Hammond told commissioners that he now closes his store on Sundays to prevent customer disappointment.

“They’ve gotten used to stopping here in Inez,” Hammond explained. “Then they have to go to Warfield again. We just decided to close on Sundays so we didn’t make anybody mad. So I’d like to see if we could get a vote to have sales on Sunday if possible.”

Before any discussion, Commissioner Roy Penix answered, “I vote no.”

Commissioner Jennifer Wells supported Hammond’s suggestion.

“I’m for it,” Wells said.

City Clerk Lisa Mollett contributed to the discussion, saying, “That was one of the things. We kind of said that we would make concessions for the churches.”

Commissioner Nita Collier stated her preference not to have sales on Sundays.

“I’m sorry,” Collier told Hammond.

“They’ll just keep going to Warfield,” said Hammond.

“That’s okay,” replied Collier.

Hammond also pointed out that even though Inez residents would travel to Warfield to buy alcoholic beverages, they would bring the beverages back to Inez and drink them on Sunday.

The issue arose after Hammond opened the city’s first liquor store since Prohibition in early April. He secured one of the two liquor licenses available in Inez after getting a malt beverage license earlier in the year.

Hammond thanked the commissioners for their time.