The Oxford Board of Alderman will vote Tuesday, Feb. 18 on a bill to allow restaurants to sell alcohol on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Although many businesses located on the Square are closed on Sundays, some owners are open to the idea of making changes to adjust to the new alcohol ordinance.

“Maybe half the Square will move around and open up for the change,” City Grocery manager Locke Phillips said. “I think it’s a good thing; I hope it passes.”

Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson said the passing of the ordinance will be a good compromise for Oxford’s growth.

“We will be prepared to enforce the law as passed,” Patterson said.

In 2011, the city legalized Sunday alcohol sales in restaurants and bars for home football game weekends and holidays such as Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve when they fall on Sunday.

Last year, the Board of Alderman approved a measure allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell cold beer and light wine on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

University of Mississippi students are excited for the possibility of the new change.

Freshman business major Madeline Stavrum is in favor of the new alcohol ordinance because she believes it will attract more people to Oxford.

“It will make people stay longer in Oxford for the weekends, especially on gamedays,” Stavrum said.

The Oxford Board of Alderman will hold a private vote for the new alcohol ordinance at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. If passed, the ordinance must then receive approval from the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ordinance would go into effect 30 days after approval from Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control.

— Chekarey Hailey

cnhailey@go.olemiss.edu