COVINGTON - The debate over whether to change a Sunday beer sales ordinance will be allowed to brew for at least another three weeks.

        City commissioners said Tuesday they want to further study a proposed change that would allow Sunday sales to begin at 11 a.m. instead of the current 1 p.m.

        A public hearing will be 7 p.m. March 6 in commission chambers on East Seventh Street.

        “I have an open mind about it,” Mayor Butch Cal lery said. “I can see both sides. We've been asked about it for a couple of years.”

        On one side are bars and restaurant owners who say they can't compete for customers who walk across the Ohio River to Cincinnati establishments that can sell beer at 5:30 a.m. Sundays.

        Kelly Napier, chief operating officer of Jack Quinn's Restaurants and Irish Pubs,said that frequently happens when his servers tell people they can't have a beer with their meal before a Bengals or Reds game on Sunday.

        “They literally fold up their menus and walk out the door,” Mr. Napier said. “As a business person, we just want to compete.”

        On the other side are residents who think having beer sales Sunday morning is morally wrong or who cringe at the prospect of drunks in their neighborhoods.

        “I'm not opposed to drinking beer,” Latonia resident Jimmy Williams said at Tuesday's com mission caucus meeting. “Just because Cincinnati does it doesn't mean we should. ... I don't want to see those rowdy people throwing bottles. Sunday's supposed to be a day of rest for the Lord.”

        The Rev. Michael Smith, assistant pastor at South Side Baptist Church on Holman Avenue — there are three bars on Holman between 12th and 16th streets — thinks the issue is too big for four city commissioners and Mayor Callery.

        “My viewpoint is that they should have a special election,” the Rev. Mr. Smith said. “If they want to do it, just have it for the riverfront area. I'd prefer they not do it.”

        But not every restaurant thinks a change would make a difference.

        “To me, it wouldn't impact my business at all,” said Kevin Smith, assistant general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel on RiverCenter Boulevard, which includes The E Room restaurant and bar. “We see very little bar business before 1 p.m.”

        City Manager Greg Jarvis said several business owners have called him supporting the change.

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