Alcohol sales have not seen a noticeable increase since Gainesville, Flowery Branch and Oakwood passed Sunday sales ordinances last year, according to local convenience and liquor store managers.

Instead, they report, new sales on Sunday have largely been offset by lower sales on Saturday.

"I've pulled out the records from last year. We're doing the same amount in seven days that we were in six," said Ed Dover, general manager of Wagon Wheel Package Store, 3349 Thompson Bridge Road in Gainesville.

Gainesville City Marshal Debbie Jones said that's pretty much the case at the liquor stores she's heard from.

"They say they haven't seen any increase in sales," she said. "They aren't losing anything; but it doesn't sound like they're really gaining anything either."

Actually, Dover said, the stores are losing a little.

Being open another day means increased employee and utility costs without much increase in revenue.

Staying closed on Sunday isn't much of an option either, since the competition will be open and customers will still look for the convenience of buying on Sunday.

Of course, Dover said the new options were not necessarily meant to benefit him, but provide more convenience to his customers.

"We'll be hear as long as that's what they want," he said.

Those flat sales could rise once spring and summer arrive, Jones said, explaining that sales go up when it gets warmer.

She said it's conceivable that tourists may purchase more alcohol with more availability on Sunday.

Currently, alcohol sales are not an option for businesses in unincorporated Hall County. That could begin to change after Tuesday.

Hall County residents voting in the Super Tuesday presidential primary will also weigh in on limited Sunday sales.

The sale of packaged spirits is currently banned outside of city limits, so there are no liquor stores to be affected by the vote.