Super Bowl Sunday next year in Connecticut may possibly be the first where package stores can be open, but only because of the state’s budget woes and the need to add revenue wherever possible.
State Sen. John Kissel (R-Enfield) is a longtime proponent of allowing the state’s package stores to open seven days a week, but opposition has always been strong from the package story lobby. The General Law Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed legislation on Tuesday.
Kissel expects the bill not to see the light of day beyond the public hearing. That’s fine with him because he expects the Sunday package store opening to be part of whatever budget is crafted between Gov. Dannel Molloy and the legislature. The primary reason is the potential for between $3 million and $8 million in new tax revenues for the state.
“My favorite quote on this is it’s a drop in the budget [for state revenues] but we need every drop to fill the bucket,” he said.
Stan Sorkin, president of the Connecticut Food Association, which represents the state’s grocery stores, is another proponent of the Sunday openings. He said the state can’t afford to give away the possible revenue.
His group also says it’s an issue of customer convenience. People shop on Sundays a lot more than they shop on Tuesdays.
“Nobody is forcing the package stores to stay open,” he said in a phone interview from his Farmington headquarters.
Connecticut, Sorkin said, is one of only three states in the country that does not permit Sunday liquor sales in some form (Georgia and Indiana are the others). He said other states that have enacted Sunday openings have seen 5 to 8 percent increases in revenue.
Kissel thinks consumers will eventually drive the change in the law. “We have made some strides,” he said. “It was a long battle to get the hours changed.” For decades package stores could only stay open 8 p.m. They can now stay open until 9 p.m.
“Most owners have determined their hours based on customer needs,” said Kissel. “The public by a vast majority supports this.”
Avon fitness center opens
Snap Fitness has opened a health club in Avon. The new club, which owner/operator Josh Livingston says is the first of its kind in the Hartford area, is located in the TJ Maxx Plaza at 260 W. Main St., Avon.
Livingston said Snap Fitness is the only club in the area where members can work out anytime from 5 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year including holidays and weekends.
Another thing that sets Snap apart from other health clubs is the option to belong month-to-month without signing a long-term contract. Members can also put a hold on their accounts for up to three months.
Each member receives a free fitness assessment valued at $100, plus a free instruction and a workout plan. In addition, each member receives a Personal Web Page which provides access to an Online Training Center where workouts can be created, modified and tracked; and an online nutrition and meal planning program that recommends daily caloric intake and menus based on personal goals and preferences.
“The economy’s tough but people still value their health,” said Livingston. “I want to help by giving them more for their money and contributing to the health and quality of life in our community.”
For more information call 860-581-4014 or visit www.SnapFitnessAvon.com.
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Minivan gets new life
Normally the donation of a nine-year-old minivan would not be noteworthy, except the story of The Hockanum Valley Community Council is a little different. In October 2010, Manchester Honda received a 2002 Honda Odyssey in trade that was a little different.
“When we received this vehicle in trade, we knew we had something special,” said Jonathan Larabee, controller of Manchester Honda. “It’s not very often we see a wheelchair converted Odyssey in such good condition, with the wheelchair still in it. We were all thinking the same thing — this would be a great vehicle to donate.”
The community council will use the minivan for its dial-a-ride program that serves Vernon, Ellington, Tolland as well as Manchester and East Hartford.
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BBB complaint list unchanged
The same kinds of businesses that most irked Connecticut consumers in 2009 continued to prompt complaints one year later, according to Connecticut Better Business Bureau’s list of top 10 businesses that generated the most complaints. Buying clubs/group purchasing services and Internet shopping occupy the top two positions as they did in 2009.
Here is the list of businesses in order:
• Buying clubs and group purchasing services;
• Internet shopping;
• Furniture — retail;
• Insurance companies;
• Auto dealers — new cars;
• Mailing services;
• Magazine sales;
• Auto dealers — used cars;
• Burglar alarm systems — dealers and monitoring;
• Market research and analysis.
