Voters in a borough of New Jersey are considering liquor licenses on the ballot this week, debating whether to overturn a prohibition on alcohol sales that has been in place for 120 years.
On Tuesday, residents of Haddon Heights, a suburb located in Camden County near Philadelphia, can vote on a nonbinding referendum regarding the issuance of retail consumption licenses. The borough, incorporated in 1904, currently lacks bars or liquor stores. However, it is not classified as a “dry” borough, as explained by Mayor Zachary Houck in a phone interview with Fox News Digital.
Mayor Houck noted, “We aren’t exactly dry,” highlighting the presence of breweries and the hosting of street festivals featuring brewery trucks and distilleries. Additionally, some local restaurants sell New Jersey wine.
The mayor supports the proposed measure and stated that the city council will act quickly to allow a restaurant to serve liquor if public opinion is favorable. He indicated that by summer 2025, liquor licenses could be in place, and public hearings might begin as early as December or January.
State regulations permit one retail liquor license for every 3,000 residents, allowing Haddon Heights to offer two licenses for its nearly 7,500 people. Governor Phil Murphy has suggested increasing the number of restaurant liquor licenses during his 2023 State of the State address.
Interest from local restaurants in obtaining these licenses has already surfaced, with community leaders navigating between preserving the borough’s historic character and attracting new families. Haddon Heights is one of 30 municipalities in New Jersey that currently do not permit retail consumption licenses. Mayor Houck added that the initiative aims to bolster the local economy and support small businesses in the downtown area.
