BLUE EARTH — Blue Earth City Council on Tuesday conducted a six-month review of Sunday sales at the municipal liquor store.

Craig Wells, manager of Blue Earth Wine & Spirits, presented the store’s sales per month for 2017 compared to 2016, as well as business specifically on Sundays.

According to Wells, about 80 customers come into the store every Sunday, leading to net sales between $1,000 and $2,000.

Craig Wells said losing Walmart in early October dealt a little bit of a blow to sales, as fewer people are coming in from out of town.

Mayor Richard Scholtes noted that Monday and Tuesday nights after 8 p.m. tend to be a little slow, and suggested possibly changing the hours of the liquor store to save money.

According to the city’s website, the liquor store hours from Monday through Saturday are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Sunday hours being from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wells and the council discussed possibly closing at 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while leaving Friday and Saturday at the current hours.

“I don’t see losing much business closing at nine,” Wells said.

The hours, however, could be changed in the future for holidays or events, such as the Faribault County Fair.

“Craig’s got a lot of experience and he’s going to use his best judgement,” said City Administrator Timothy Ibisch. “If we have certain events going on, he may want to adjust it a little bit, but I think it’s a fair idea.”

Scholtes also suggested the possibility of going down to one employee on Sundays, which would save the liquor store about $300 per month.

Ibisch said he will work with Wells to put together a proposal with changes to the liquor store to be discussed at the next council meeting.