Since 1974, it's illegal to buy alcohol before 1 PM on Sundays in Gainesville. On Wednesday, a group of restaurant owners crowded a city meeting to say, it's time to change the law.

"We're in a bad economy, you can't turn those dollars down," said Shawn Shepherd, owner of Vellos restaurant in downtown Gainesville.

"With six hundred licensed establishments, and the tax revenue that would benefit the city, I mean, in all cases, that's something you can't really not look at," he said.

The public safety committee supports repealing the city's "Blue Laws."

"I'd like to hear from people who are not in favor, to hear their perspective on the issue, but barring some big issue I haven't heard about, it'll pass," said Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa.

City commissioners are expected to discuss the committee's recommendation and vote on the repeal of the "Blue Laws" starting in December.