Gas station restricts Sunday beer sales to cases only

| 03/06/2018

Ask Auntie, CNS Local Life, Caymanian statusOn a recent Sunday I went to [a certain] gas station to purchase beer. I was informed by several members of staff that their Sunday licence only permitted them to sell beer by the case (24 cans/bottles) and that I would have to combine my purchase with that of other people to meet this minimum threshold. If this requirement is real it seems to be completely arbitrary and ridiculous to go from not being able to buy any beer to having to buy at least 24 bottles/cans. Interestingly there didn’t seem to be any minimum purchase for wine.


Auntie’s answer: Without knowing any more details of this situation than you presented and admittedly without any legal background, I nevertheless am willing to go out on a limb and say it that it seems nonsensical to me you couldn’t buy a few cans of beer because their liquor licence forbids it. Of course, I’m sure this wouldn’t be the first time a rule or law was considered ludicrous, but still, this sounds ridiculous on the face of it.

My feelings aside, I sought advice from the Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI), which is responsible for the Liquor Licensing Board. While DCI cannot share the findings of any investigation except to the licensee or someone involved in the matter, a department official did tell me that your question has prompted them to look into the issue. But DCI won’t disclose anything that is not considered public information resulting from the investigation unless the matter winds up in the courts.

I suppose you could check back at the gas station on a future Sunday to see if the staff is still sticking to the “cases only” policy.

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Category: Ask Auntie, Liquor Licensing Questions

Comments (19)

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  1. EFH says:

    peanuts in redbay does this, I went to buy a 6 pack and the lady told me I had to buy a full case ( they didn’t have the full case of what I wanted) so I left.

    this is the most stupidest rule or what ever you want to call it.

    not everyone is going to buy 24-36 beers at once some only want a 6pack.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Why are we complaining? At least we can get booze on a Sunday nowadays, 4/5 years ago you had to drive all the way to that shitty shop attached to Treasure Island to buy warm beer as the fridges never worked!!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Caymanians were FAR wealthier, owned more of their own island when we lived by christian principles. of hardly any alcohol much less Alcohol now at Gas Stations can you believe it? The Alcohol Distributiors is BILLIONAIRS while so many children cannot even afford to go to Summer for the Summer because the money went to Alcohol instead of their children safety and protection during the summer time

  4. Anonymous says:

    I can confirm this because it has happened to me twice at the same gas station I suspect. However, they have never suggested I combine with other customers to buy a case and this is probably illegal in some way. The same place also is only allowed to sell liquor from 1pm and has to abide by the time on their system (which appears to be behind the real time). The line up of folks buying their cases of liquor at 1pm is something to behold!

    • Anonymous says:

      Two within a mile radius of me have the same policy on Sundays. Makes Monday a tough day at work. Next time post what time you want to go and buy the beer on ecaytrade and I’ll meet you there and split the cost – no harm in me giving a ‘friend’ 15 bucks in the car park, you then put the same in and go buy the case with cash. Agree stood at the till together asking for the bill to be split 50/50 is probably not allowed.

  5. Anonymous says:

    According to another (cough) news source:

    Currently, liquor stores have to seek an extra retail license [in addition to a package licence], which restricts sales to a minimum of a case of beer or a bottle of wine.

  6. Anonymous says:

    This might as well be called the “Rum Point” or “Sunday barbecue” rule as that is the only way you would need a case of beer on a Sunday. And of course, you can’t buy it until 1 p.m., when many already like to be on their way out (or in, as the case may be).

  7. Anonymous says:

    How is this a problem? Buy your sixpack on Saturday.

  8. "Anonymousir" says:

    good old stupid government law …. only cases? what if i just want a cold six pack before i go to bed a night? I need a case? to what, promote me to drink more? Some people are actually considerate when they drink and dont want to drink so much and be a drunk. just need a lil charge and mellow out and go sleep. BUT NO! i need to by a case .. im so with the guy that says its an “opportunity and not an issue” (opportunity to get more money in a day)

    • CB says:

      Just because you buy a whole case doesn’t mean you have to drink it all in one go!

      Why not put it in a cupboard and avoid having to make a trip out to buy beer for the next 3 Sundays?

  9. Anonymous says:

    welcome to wonderland….

  10. Anonymous says:

    is the Law, 750 ml or more of licor and full cases of beer. Talk to you representative if you want to change it.

  11. Tom says:

    I believe the Sunday sales come under a bulk license you can play buy full cases / bottles

  12. Anonymous says:

    Sounds more like an opportunity than an issue to me.

  13. Anonymous says:

    This is the most ridiculous Law ever!!! I wonder which genius on the Liquor Licensing Board came up with this idea? The average person would buy a case if beer prior to Sunday if they wanted that amount!!! Just my opinion.

  14. TOM CRIPPS says:

    This is a term of their Sunday Licensing rules. Wine can only be sold in quantities of 75cl. The minimum that can be sold is 20 cans.

    • Anonymous says:

      “The main reason for the grant was to accommodate the tourists arriving on the island on Sundays and to prevent illegal sales.”

      So they are encouraging everyone, tourists and all to get completely legless on Sundays! Insane and completely illogical restriction.