Oak Ridge to vote on allowing eatery to serve alcohol

Only one municipality in Cape Girardeau County will have a question on the ballot on election day.

Voters of Oak Ridge will have a decision to make Tuesday regarding alcohol sales.

The question asks whether the West End Market in the village should be allowed to sell single-serving alcoholic drinks "in accordance with alcoholic drink sales not exceeding 50 percent of food sales." Sales would not be allowed on Sundays.

Oak Ridge board of trustees member Mac Armbruster said the business would not be able to get a state license for the sales unless the city "signed off on it." Oak Ridge has a decades-old ordinance prohibiting such sales in city limits, he said.

"Since [the business] approached us and had quite a few patrons request it as well, and since it wasn't necessarily a decision the board could make since it is kind of a pivotal thing to the town, we decided to put it to a vote," Armbruster said. "We figured we would let the residents decide, since it is their town."

Missouri's liquor control law says in any incorporated city with a population of fewer than 19,500, sales of single-serving alcoholic drinks may be authorized by a vote of the majority of the qualified voters of the city. Census data from 2013 shows the village has a population of 245.

The West End Market is the town's one-stop shop. Whether a customer is looking for milk, motor oil or a movie rental, the store has all the basic necessities and then some, according to the information provided on its Facebook page. It also cooks up daily meal specials and the occasional weekend buffet. It also offers package sales of beer.

Armbruster said it's a popular place, frequented by residents and out-of-town visitors alike.

As for voter turnout Tuesday, the board member said he believes it could go either way. He said word has been "spread around town," so many are aware of the ballot issue.

"We would like to see some turnout for both sides, whether they're for it or against it," Armbruster said.

The polling location for voters is First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge Fellowship Hall, 4154 State Route E. Polls open at 6 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

4053 State Highway E, Oak Ridge, Mo.

4154 State Highway E, Oak Ridge, Mo.