Voters in Collingswood, New Jersey to decide whether to allow limited liquor licenses

COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) — Residents of one South Jersey town will vote in November on whether to allow a limited number of liquor licenses in the borough, potentially ending more than a century as a dry town.

Known for its downtown shops and restaurants, Collingswood currently requires diners who want alcoholic beverages with their meals to bring their own.

Under New Jersey’s population-based licensing system, the borough would be eligible for four liquor licenses if voters approve the referendum.

Some restaurant owners are watching the issue closely.

“It’s not so much that we want one – we need one to survive,” said Franco Lombardo, owner of Sapori Trattoria Italiana on Haddon Avenue.

Lombardo said he would apply for a liquor license if the referendum passes. His restaurant currently operates as a BYOB establishment. He also expressed frustration with New Jersey’s liquor licensing system.

“I’m hoping at some point the state law will change, which would allow everybody to get one,” Lombardo said.

The ballot question reached voters after residents gathered enough signatures to qualify the measure.

“We cleared the ballot threshold by about seven signatures. It was really close,” said Joe Sperlunto, a member of the advocacy group Booze on the Ballot.

Sperlunto said supporters believe allowing alcohol sales could help attract more visitors and support local businesses.

“We fear that if we don’t bring something new to the avenue, if we don’t breathe some new life into it, allow people to come here, have a drink, walk around, shop at our stores, eat at one of our BYOB’s we’re going to start to see more business closures,” Sperlunto said.

The proposal has divided residents.

“If you go into a restaurant, you almost expect to have a glass of wine or a cocktail. It kind of adds to the ambiance of the place,” said Kristina Scallatino of Collingswood.

Others oppose the change and say they prefer the town’s current character.

“They’re quieter streets when people aren’t walking around having had two or three glasses of wine or beer, and I feel safer,” said Sue Ellen Raby of Collingswood.

A town hall on the referendum is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the library. Residents will be able to learn how the licensing process would work and ask questions ahead of the November 3 vote.

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