Stamford Liquor Store Doesn't Love New Sunday Sale Allowance

As it stands, liquor stores in Connecticut can't open to sell their stock on Sundays. Residents had to cross state lines if they needed a fix as the weekend comes to a close. When the new law passes, liquor stores looking to expand store hours will be able to operate a whole extra day than previously permitted.

But you probably won't see Vasile Balaj open up Towers Liquor Package Shop for the extra day even if it does pass. To him, Sunday's his day of rest and he likes to use it to spend time with his family.

"I do not agree; I won't do it," Balaj states quite matter-of-factly. "I need one day's rest. I need one day with my family, to stay with them."

Balaj, who's been operating the business since April 17, 2001, scoffed at the idea of using another body to run things the extra day so he could use the time to build familial bonds.

"I don't make money for myself," he laughed. "Where do I get money to hire an extra person?"

He said his flow of business didn't make the decision to difficult even if he had been open to the idea.

"Business is very slow the last couple years," he said. "When I open, People then had money. Now, they have no money, no jobs. I'd get maybe three people in here to sit here for 7 hours? My time for, what? Family is important, not business."

He said he's already seen the effects this would have on his store when the state from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"After 8, no one came in," he said. "I'd only stay open until 8 after 4 weeks anyway. Maybe Mr. Governor [Malloy] could do something about constantly increasing prices? They think this will make more money for the state, but sales keep going down. Prices go up, sales go down."

In closing, Balaj bent slightly, saying maybe it would be worth a test, just to see what would happen.

"Maybe I'll try for one week or two," he said. "But I doubt it."