Two weeks ago I was walking around town with a friend. After retrieving a delicious and perfectly-priced $5 slice of pizza from Little Caesar’s, we had the difficult decision of deciding what we should drink to bring out the true flavor of our delicious dinner.

It hit us 10 steps down the street – we needed red wine.

Our pilgrimage led us to a liquor store. With high expectations, and high “spirits,” we tried the door. Sadly, no bells went off, and no fluorescent lights shone down on rows of rainbow colored bottles. There was nothing. The door was locked.

The liquor store, like all of the others in Emporia, was closed.

Coming from a much larger town in Texas, where liquor stores were always open past 11 p.m., it was quite a shock to find that all Emporia liquor stores close after 9 p.m. When I looked into Kansas law, however, I found that the sale of alcohol and liquor are legal until 11 p.m.

Why has Emporia decided to cut liquor store closing times shorter than the law deems it necessary? It is ridiculous that shops should close so early, especially since we live in a college town – the demand for alcoholic beverages is so high.

Think about it. Many students probably feel the need to purchase alcohol after 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., as most of the time prior to this is spent studying or working in order to earn a small amount of cash. The idea of buying alcohol is hardly ever a thought before 9 p.m.

We should not have to force our minds to change and start purchasing alcohol prior to our first cravings. We should not be forced to take our business to Olpe if we develop a late night desire for a glass of wine. This money should be kept in Emporia, helping local businesses as well as our economy.

As students, we have the power to change this. We need to explain our plight to the local government. Write legislators, send emails, and get disgruntled! We aren’t asking for a dramatic change, just enough to prevent the inconveniences of countless people.

We must show them that it would be worth their time, and that we are willing to part with our meager amount of spending money to acquire bottles of this sweet nocturnal ambrosia.

Compared to places where booze is sold seven days a week, and campuses that serve alcohol, it should not be an outrageous request to be able to acquire some spirits late in the evening. The local government should reconsider the laws, if not for the sake of the businesses, then for the sake of those students consuming $5, 9 p.m. pizzas.

Andrew Potter