Miller time doesn't change in Franklin

Despite a new state law that allows for longer sales times, the Franklin Common Council on Tuesday decided against any change in the hours local retailers can sell beer.

Retailers who sell packaged beer for consumption off premises can do so between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. State law, however, allows municipalities to sell beer in retail establishments from 6 a.m. to midnight. Under Act 97, signed Dec. 7 and effective Dec. 21, the state Legislature changed the time from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Franklin officials had already agreed not to extend the sales time to midnight, and on Tuesday council members decided not to permit sales earlier than 8 a.m.

Local disinterest on issue

"I don't see a need," said Alderman Steve Olson. "I don't know that it adds to the community."

City Clerk Sandra Wesolowski said that Franklin only received one inquiry about a time change, from Roundy's Supermarkets, which owns two Pick 'n Save stores in the city. In all, Wesolowski said, 20 retailers in Franklin could have been affected by a change in hours.

When introduced, the bill received support from the Wisconsin Grocers Association. President Brandon Scholz said its membership wanted an earlier selling start time as it would be a boost to the tourism industry and help retailers with holiday sales.

"It was a very minor change," he said. "All this bill does is extend the selling period from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. We did not advocate for adding more time at night."

The Wisconsin Tavern League, meanwhile, opposed the bill. Executive Director Pete Madland said the league's members, especially smaller taverns, thought they might lose business to larger packaged-goods stores.

"Our members said we don't need a few more hours," he said.

Considering elsewhere

The state law allows municipalities to impose more restrictive hours, and since Act 97's passage, hours of operation are being reviewed elsewhere.

In Oak Creek, retailers can sell beer from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., said Acting City Clerk Christa Miller. And she said the matter will be on a future Common Council agenda to consider.

Hales Corners village officials, meanwhile, voted earlier this month to maintain its previously established hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Village Manager Michael Weber said the board considered extending those hours before deciding to stick with the existing policy.

"The argument we heard was third-shift workers, they're on their way home and this would save them an extra trip to the store," he said.