In case no one noticed, they can now buy liquor in Great Bend earlier than they could this time last year.

It was back in September of 2023 that the City Council approved an ordinance allowing residents to buy liquor and all alcoholic beverages from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. instead of from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The change brought the city in line with revised State of Kansas statutes. However, the new ordinance had to be published in the Great Bend Tribune, which happened at the end of September. 

This initiated a 60-day public comment/petition period that could have forced a referendum on the matter, City Administrator Brandon Anderson said.

In the end, Anderson said no comments were received and no petition was filed, and the new hours took effect on Nov. 28, 2023.

Even after the shift, such beverages can’t be sold: Before 9 a.m. or after 8 p.m. on Sundays; on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; and before 6 a.m. or after midnight on Monday through Saturday.

This issue arose as a discussion item when the City Council met Aug. 21, 2023, and the council directed City Attorney Allen Glendenning to draft the ordinance. While not unanimously supported, it was the consensus of the council to consider the matter.

The council in August 2016 approved allowing Sunday sales from noon to 8 p.m. That went into effect in October of that year.