Select liquor stores across the state opened their doors for business yesterday at noon, marking the first Sunday Pennsylvania liquor stores have been open since before Prohibition.

The Sunday debut was met with mixed reviews at Wine and Spirits Shoppe, 1690 N. Atherton St., as a steady stream of customers walked past about 10 protesters who formed a line along the edge of the store's parking lot. The North Atherton location is the only liquor store in Centre County open for business on Sundays.

Tom Fleck, district manager of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), said business was "relatively brisk" on the store's first Sunday.

"We have no advertising because we're a state agency, but basically people would know about the store being open because of the media," he said.

Sixty-one of Pennsylvania's 638 liquor stores are now open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Sunday sales policy is being implemented for a two-year trial period.

Brian Smith, representing a group called Pennsylvanians Concerned about Alcohol Problems, was among the sign-toting protesters picketing outside the Wine and Spirits Shoppe.

The group is a church-related nonprofit organization that promotes an alcohol-free lifestyle.

"We just think six days a week is sufficient," Smith said.

Smith cited statistics from other states that saw a 20 percent increase in sales after beginning the Sunday sale of liquor.

"Eighty million bottles are sold in this state each year. If we increase that number by 20 percent, that means an additional 16 million bottles sold," Smith said. "I understand wanting to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner ... but the truth is 60 percent of the alcohol that's purchased in this country is consumed by 10 percent of the people."

He also pointed to high rates of alcohol-related car crashes as a reason for the group's protest.

"You and I are going to be driving on this highway and there are going to be many more drunk drivers," Smith said. "Forty-four people a day die in drunk driving accidents, and you don't have to be a drunk to be killed in a drunk driving crash."

Phil Esper, a representative of the Independent State Store Union, knows all too well about the potential damage of drunken driving. His daughter was killed in a drunken driving accident.

"That's why I'm here," Esper said. "I don't want to see another parent go through that, or another kid."

He added that he understood the state's need for money, but thought a liquor tax would be a more appropriate way to obtain it.

Some others were slightly less indifferent to the protest.

"I think [liquor sale on Sunday] is excellent," said Zion resident Gary Persing on his way into the store. "If people want to drink seven days a week, they're going to drink seven days a week. These [protestors] could just stay home. We're not out there protesting their churches and synagogues or anything."

He said it was nice to see that Pennsylvania is "finally becoming progressive."

Ron Speigle, State College resident, was on his way to the Wal-Mart, 1655 N. Atherton St., when he noticed the protestors outside.

"They said it was the first time a [Pennsylvania] liquor store had been open on Sunday since Prohibition, so I came in to get a receipt [as a souvenir]," Speigle said, lifting his brown bag. "Thanks to the protestors, I found out it was open."

A list of liquor stores open on Sundays can be found at the PLCB's Web site (www.lcb.state.pa.us).