A proposed county-wide alcohol referendum, which would allow for the sale of mixed drinks, beer and an ABC store, has received its second endorsement in as many weeks.
On Tuesday, the Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce's board of directors unanimously endorsed a resolution of support for the Sept. 9 referendum. The vote mirrors a stance taken by the Yadkin County Tourism Development Authority, which said in its endorsement that county-wide alcohol sales would be a key element in local economic development.
Last month, Yadkin commissioners voted 4-1 to schedule the referendum with Commissioner Brady Wooten casting the lone dissenting vote. Commissioner Joel Cornelius introduced the resolution.
Until recently, Yadkin was a dry county where alcohol sales were illegal. That changed with the advent of new vineyards, which obtained special permits for their on-site tasting rooms. In 2003, Yadkinville voters narrowly approved wine sales inside the town limits. Three years later, Yadkinville voters approved beer, mixed drinks and an ABC store. Jonesville voters defeated an identical measure as they did in 1999.
Wine is now available throughout the county after voters two years ago approved a wine referendum.
The Sept. 9 vote is expected to face opposition in the Jonesville area where recently a majority of the town council voted to remove 40 grapevines planed in front of the new town hall.
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