Surdyk's Faces $3,500 Fine For Early Sunday Opening

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Sunday liquor sales are slated to begin in Minnesota this summer, but one Minneapolis shop has decided to open its doors months ahead of schedule.

Surdyk's, a family-owned shop located on Hennepin Avenue in Northeast Minneapolis, announced Sunday morning that it's open for business – and selling alcohol.

Owner Jim Surdyk said that since Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill last week repealing the decades-old ban, he's opening his business on Sundays sooner than later.

The ban was set to be lifted in July.

Talked with Jim, owner of @surdyksliquor. He says Sunday Sales is signed to law, good enough for him. pic.twitter.com/cypGiKv6mt

— Susan-Elizabeth (@susanelizabethL) March 12, 2017

The decision Sunday didn't come without consequences.

During the afternoon, a representative from the city of Minneapolis entered the store, saying that Surdyk's could face a $3,500 fine. The shop, however, remained open. The City  of Minneapolis is deciding if they will face more sanctions for refusing to close after notification.

In an email to consumers, Surdyk's said that it plans to be open Sunday to 6 p.m.

Yes...you heard right! pic.twitter.com/fxyB5f28xb

— Surdyk's Liquor (@surdyksliquor) March 12, 2017

State officials released a statement on Sunday after learning Surdyk's had opened before the law went into effect in July.

"The City has been in verbal contact with owner Jim Surdyk. He was advised, both by phone and again in person, that allowing his store to be open for liquor sales on Sunday was in violation of the law. The new Sunday liquor sales law does not go into effect until July 1, 2017. As a result of this violation, the City is in the process of issuing $3,500 in citations against Surdyk's. The City will also pursue sanctions against the off-sale liquor license held by Surdyk's based on the owner's clear disregard of the law," the statement reads.

Owner Jim Surdyk says he wants to be a leader in the industry.

"First Sunday we could be open and we are open, we're ahead of the game," he said.

WCCO asked him why he would open ahead of the start date.

"Well they changed the law, the Governor signed it, everybody seems to want it, why send tax dollars to Wisconsin, let's be open," he said.

And he stayed open.  Even after a manager of licensing from the City of Minneapolis dropped in to announce they would be fining the business, Surdyk stood by his decision, staying open till 6 p.m.  He said, "I'm just trying to do what everybody wants, keep the tax dollars in Minneapolis and go with that."