For the past 120 years, residents of a small South Jersey community have had to travel to another town to buy alcohol.

Haddon Heights is one of the few remaining dry towns in the Garden State. Drive around the city center and you’ll spot florists, boutiques, jewelry stores and restaurants. You won’t find a bar or liquor store. It’s been this way since the borough was created in 1904, but a change could be coming.

“There is an opportunity to attract a whole new customer base to our downtown,” said Haddon Heights Mayor Zachary Houck.

Houck said there will be a non-binding referendum on the ballot this election on whether businesses should be allowed to sell alcohol. Houck advocated for a yes vote and believes it would provide a boost to the business district.

“Small stores are going to benefit because you’re creating an influx of foot traffic to our downtown community,” Houck said.

In New Jersey, the number of retail alcohol licenses is based on population. In Haddon Heights, the mayor said the borough could receive two permits if a change is made. So we asked voters what they thought.

“There are only a few restaurants here in town, why not have a few liquor licenses here,” said Vicki Lee, who voted in early voting.

“As a resident of Haddon Heights, I think this is a good opportunity for us to have something more local that we can enjoy,” said Cat Hutchison, owner of Trouble Brewing Coffee House on Station Avenue.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like if that changed. I’m pretty traditional and pretty conservative, so let’s keep things the way they are,” said Georgianne Kloss, who has lived in the borough for nearly 70 years.

Regardless of the outcome of the referendum, the mayor and council will still have the final say on whether or not to pass an ordinance.

“We would respect wishes if they were overwhelmingly supportive one way or the other, yes or no,” Houck said.

Ryan Hughes

Ryan Hughes joined CBS News Philadelphia in June 2022. He previously worked at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he covered stories ranging from weeks on the Surfside condo collapse to the impact of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and the Super Bowl in 2022. Miami.