Bull Shoals, Ark. – Residents of Bull Shoals will decide next month whether to permit the sale of off‑premises alcohol on Sundays. The measure, which will appear on the municipal ballot, has sparked a debate between city officials seeking additional tax revenue and the owners of the town’s sole liquor retailer, who argue the change would disrupt their family‑run business.
Mayor’s rationale
Mayor Travis Fancher explained that the city has sold off‑premises alcohol since 2007, when Marion County went wet, but the state still bars Sunday sales. “Every summer we get a surge of tourists who don’t know we can’t buy booze on Sundays,” Fancher said. He estimates that allowing Sunday sales could generate roughly $5,000 in annual tax revenue for Bull Shoals.
“We’re trying to grow our town,” Fancher added. “We need more people on our streets, more public‑works staff, and the easiest way to fund those jobs is through additional liquor‑license revenue.” The mayor framed the proposal as a practical step toward expanding municipal services and supporting local employment.
Liquor store owners push back
Rich’s Package Store, the only liquor outlet in Bull Shoals, is run by a husband‑and‑wife team who have operated the shop on Central Boulevard for nearly two decades. The couple opposes the Sunday‑sale measure, saying their store is already open six days a week and that Sunday serves as their family day for bookkeeping and cleaning.
They warned that if the city permits Sunday sales at other locations, such as the local grocery store or gas station, they could lose customers. “If people buy alcohol elsewhere on Sunday, they may not come back on Monday,” they said, expressing concern that the new rule could hurt their livelihood.
State limits on liquor outlets
Arkansas law caps the number of liquor stores in each county, and Marion County has already reached its limit. Consequently, even if the ballot measure passes, Bull Shoals would likely see Sunday sales only at the existing grocery store and gas station, not an expansion of retail locations.
Rich’s owners indicated that regardless of the vote’s outcome, they intend to keep their store closed on Sundays, maintaining their established family routine.
What’s at stake for voters
The upcoming vote gives Bull Shoals residents a direct say in how the city balances economic growth with community values. Supporters argue that modest tax gains can fund essential services, while opponents fear the change could erode family time and harm a long‑standing local business.
Voters will receive a ballot pamphlet outlining the proposal and its projected fiscal impact. The city plans to hold informational sessions at the town hall in the weeks leading up to the election, offering residents a chance to ask questions of both municipal officials and the liquor‑store owners.
Looking ahead
Regardless of the outcome, the debate highlights Bull Shoals’ broader effort to attract tourists and strengthen its tax base while preserving the small‑town character that many residents cherish. The city’s leadership says the decision will set a precedent for how other rural Arkansas communities approach Sunday alcohol sales in the future.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
