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.<\/p>\n
Known for its downtown shops and restaurants, Collingswood currently requires diners who want alcoholic beverages with their meals to bring their own.<\/p>\n
Under New Jersey’s population-based licensing system, the borough would be eligible for four liquor licenses if voters approve the referendum.<\/p>\n
Some restaurant owners are watching the issue closely.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I’m hoping at some point the state law will change, which would allow everybody to get one,” Lombardo said.<\/p>\n
The ballot question reached voters after residents gathered enough signatures to qualify the measure.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Sperlunto said supporters believe allowing alcohol sales could help attract more visitors and support local businesses.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The proposal has divided residents.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Others oppose the change and say they prefer the town’s current character.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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