EDITORIAL: Indiana pops cork on Sunday alcohol sales; it's about time

It's about time.

Indiana consumers win with the convenience of being able to buy a six-pack, or any other packaged alcohol, from retail establishments on the same day as a Sunday football game.

A restriction in the bill will limit Sunday sales to between noon and 8 p.m., but it's a move worthy of clinking glasses.

Businesses and tax revenue win even bigger with this new law, which takes effect this coming Sunday.

An archaic law born of puritan heritage was impeding state commerce every seventh day, literally driving retail alcohol business across state lines.

Indiana no longer will hold the distinction of the only state prohibiting all retail alcohol sales on Sundays.

Overwhelming public support prompted the measure to become reality. State commission members, lawmakers and the governor deserve credit for listening, passing the measure in both chambers of the Legislature and delivering it for the governor's signature into law.

In the future, expanding Sunday sales times to all-day and legalizing cold beer sales at retail businesses other than liquor stores are additional measures that would make Indiana more competitive in this business sector.

But until then, our state can toast a victory for consumers and commerce between noon and 8 p.m. Sunday.