The time has come, Gwinnett.

Earlier Sunday drink sales — the long-lobbied-for 90 extra minutes of restaurant-based alcohol consumption — arrive this weekend.

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday afternoon to amend the county’s alcohol ordinance, clearing the way for alcoholic drink sales to begin at 11 a.m. (instead of 12:30 p.m.) on Sundays.

The change is effective immediately.

It covers only restaurants in unincorporated parts of the county. Local cities who held referendums have determined their own start dates.

Gwinnett was dozens of communities in metro Atlanta and across the state where voters approved a referendum regarding the additional hours during the Nov. 6 general election. About 64 percent of Gwinnett voters cast their ballots in favor of the measure.

Senate Bill 17 — the so-called "Brunch Bill" or "Mimosa Mandate" — passed through Georgia's legislature earlier this year, giving local governments the opportunity to call referendums if they so choose.

Advocates of the extra hours, including the Georgia Restaurant Association, have touted it as a positive move for businesses.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The Atlanta Police Department and GBI are investigating the officer-related shooting Saturday night near the 5 Paces Inn in Buckhead. (Henri Hollis/AJC 2022)

Credit: Henri Hollis

Featured

A native of Columbus and a fine arts graduate of Clark Atlanta, Amy Sherald was chosen as the official portrait artist of former first lady Michelle Obama. On the same week that the portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, it was also announced that Sherald was awarded the High Museum's 2018 David C. Driskell Prize. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Credit: Andrew Harnik