Dry New Jersey town votes to end 120-year ban on alcohol sales

Pop the bubbly.

A dry New Jersey town could soon become three sheets closer to serving booze.

Residents of Haddon Heights — a suburb about 10 miles southeast of Philadelphia that’s devoid of liquor stores and bars — voted Tuesday to repeal a 120-year ban on alcohol sales within town lines.

Voters approved a ballot measure that proposes the sale of liquor at restaurants, bars and box stores with 62% in favor and 38% opposed, according to preliminary election results released by Camden County.

But the ballot measure approval doesn’t mean residents can toast with drinks bought in Haddon Heights just yet.

The mayor and council still need to draft and pass legislation to officially end the more than a century-old prohibition.

But spirits are high.

“We would respect the wishes if it was overwhelmingly favorable in one way or the other, yes or no,” Mayor Zachary Houck said before Election Day, according to CBS News Philadelphia.

After legislation is passed, the process of applying for and approving liquor licenses would also delay any boozy cheers.

And Haddon Heights would only be able to receive two liquor licenses based on its population size — roughly 7,400 people — under state law, which stipulates one retail liquor license for every 3,000 people.

The town is one of 30 municipalities in Jersey that do not allow retail consumption licenses, according to the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association.