Four Lorain businesses want to sell alcohol on Sundays

LORAIN — Voters are being asked to consider Sunday liquor sales for four local establishments with Issues 4, 5, 6 and 7 this November. Issue 4 grants Lorain Port & Finance Authority the ability to serve liquor on Sundays, while issue 5 is for Trent's Joint on the River, 138 Alabama Ave. Issue 6 is for Lorain Harbor Boat Club & Patio, 108 Alabama Ave., and Issue 7 is for the new Lorain Grocery Outlet, 4415 N. Leavitt Road. Located at 319 Black River Landing, the Port & Finance Authority already holds liquor licenses that allows for the sale of beer, wine and liquor. The Port now is asking voters to allow for Sunday sales, said Tiffany McClelland, executive director of the Lorain Port & Finance Authority. "We're enhancing the site, growing," McClelland said. "The new amphitheater is opening in 2026. It's a big investment and with the amphitheater and grand opening, it's perfect timing to ask voters to approve this." Trent's Joint on the River is asking voters to approve Issue 5, which would also allow Sunday sales. The business operates Thursday through Sunday. Issue 6 would permit the Lorain Harbor Boat Club, which is open Wednesday through Sunday, to serve its full alcohol menu on Sundays. "Lorain was once a thriving steel town," said Libby Sullivan, of the Lorain Harbor Boat Club. "When the mills left, the city suffered. A Sunday liquor license would add to the great things we are doing at LHBC to help Lorain thrive. This year we had many activities. We included Bascule Brewery and Crooked Leaf Cigar bar - we did this to help all of Lorain's businesses succeed by inviting them to participate in our events. We are committed to working with city officials to help renew and strengthen the city of Lorain." Guests can go to the boat club without a membership. "We are open to the public," O'Sullivan said. "They can come for three visits as a guest, then membership is $50 a year for a social membership. Our bar is known as The Riverview Bar and Grill. It has been open for four years. We have a great menu including hamburgers and plenty of sides. A Sunday liquor license would help us to grow as a club and reach our goal of making Lorain the best location in the nation." In addition to providing food, entertainment and dockage in Lorain, the boat club is working on getting grants to help get the youth of Lorain involved in sailing. Finally, the Grocery Outlet is looking for voters to approve Sunday sales with Issue 7. Owned by Daniel and Jamie Hess, the new Grocery Outlet in Lorain is scheduled to open before the end of the year. — Christina Jolliffe