Gwinnett city passes referendum that allows liquor stores

Berkeley Lake approved the package sale of distilled spirits, which would allow a liquor store to open.

Berkeley Lake approved the package sale of distilled spirits, which would allow a liquor store to open.

A referendum passed to allow package sale of distilled spirits will open the door to liquor stores in Berkeley Lake.

The referendum was a yes-or-no ballot question asking voters whether the package sale of distilled spirits should be allowed in Berkeley Lake. An overwhelming majority of voters said yes: 113 voters were in favor of the referendum and 18 were against it.

The referendum was put on the ballot after residents collected enough signatures on a petition calling for the question to be put to a vote. Allowing the sale of liquor would allow a liquor store to open in the small city.

The question was the only contested item in Tuesday’s election, as the city’s three incumbent council members were all running for re-election unopposed.

Not all cities in Gwinnett County allow liquor stores. Lawrenceville's city code effectively bans the sale of liquor, although you can still purchase beer and wine in city limits.

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