Imagine celebrating a victory in a town where the closest toast requires a trek to a neighboring one. This is the reality for residents of a handful of New York towns, remnants of a bygone era where alcohol sales were strictly controlled. A bill snaking its way through the state legislature could change that, potentially raising a glass to a new chapter for these “dry towns.”
The bill, championed by state Sen. James Skoufis, seeks to repeal a 1934 law – a hangover from Prohibition – that empowers towns to stay dry if they wish. While such bans exist across the US, only a handful of them cling to them in New York, like Caneadea, a town in western New York with about 2,000 people.
Skoufis argues these dry laws need to be updated. “We live in New York in 2024,” he declares, envisioning a future where local restaurants can offer a glass of wine, boosting business and fostering a more vibrant dining scene.
This sentiment finds eager ears in places like Clymer, a southwestern New York town bordering Pennsylvania. Brittany Gerould, the general manager of the Dutch Village Restaurant, laments lost opportunities due to the alcohol ban. Themed nights like “wing nights” are hampered, and Saturday nights remain closed, a stark reminder of the missing revenue.
However, the bill faces resistance. Local control is a fiercely guarded right, and Philip G. Stockin, Caneadea’s deputy town supervisor, embodies this sentiment. He worries about potential increases in alcohol abuse, echoing the concerns of those who advocate for maintaining the status quo. Stockin further highlights the frustration with state-mandated changes.
Opinions vary within the dry towns themselves. In Lapeer, south of Syracuse, residents seem accustomed to traveling for their alcohol needs. Cindy Butler McFarland, the town clerk, doesn’t anticipate a significant change even if the bill passes. The presence of a nearby liquor store means Lapeer likely wouldn’t see new bars or restaurants.
But not everyone agrees. Desiree Brown, the bar manager at the Olde School Pub in nearby Sandy Creek, sees an opportunity across the border in Orwell, another dry town. “Just because the town is dry, the people in there are not,” she quips, reflecting the desires of many who believe a pub in Orwell would be a welcome addition.
The 2019 case of Argyle, a town north of Albany, offers a real-world example. Back then, residents weary of driving for drinks voted to revoke their dry status. Argyle’s deputy town clerk, Renee Montero-Kober, recalls residents’ frustration and the lost revenue. “People were obviously going somewhere to buy it,” she points out, believing the change has been positive.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain. The full Senate awaits a vote. If passed, it would mark a significant shift in New York’s alcohol landscape. For the dry towns, it could usher in a new era of convenience and economic growth. However, concerns about social consequences and the potential erosion of local control linger. As the debate unfolds, residents across these towns watch closely, wondering if they’ll finally be able to raise a glass in their backyards.
