Voters to decide fate of alcohol sales in Old Town Tomball

TOMBALL, TX (KTRK) -- A 70-year-old prohibition law is up for a vote in Tomball.

"For you to be able to have an alcoholic beverage, you have to become a member of a private club," said Laura Wilson, owner of Cisco's Salsa Company.

Wilson started a petition drive and in six weeks garnered the number of signatures required to get the issue on the November ballot. She wants to repeal a 1944 law, which applies only to 8-blocks of the historic Old Town Tomball.

"(In the 1940s), the area was becoming a little to rowdy, so the town folks felt if they banned distilled spirits, they would take away the whiskey and that would tone down all the rowdy behavior," said Wilson.

Many residents in Tomball support passing the measure, saying times have changed.

"It's not helping Old Town Tomball. It's pushing businesses out," said Tomball resident Richard Holmes.

"I think if they want successful restaurants in the area, they should be able to sell liquor," said Tomball resident Bob Stoddard.

Betty Angel disagrees, acknowledging her opinion isn't the most popular. The retired emergency room nurse said she's concerned about drunk driving.

"I plan to vote no," said Angel. "If not serving liquor here saves one person, then we've accomplished our purpose."

Wilson is thankful for a growing customer base, but points out that it makes it hard to keep up with all the paperwork required for private club memberships-each of which expire after three days. She adds, when other restaurants in newer parts of Tomball don't have this restriction, it makes attracting some customers to her restaurant more difficult.

"It slows us down from giving good service focusing on the food, which is what we want to do," said Wilson.