BOONE, N.C. -- Bolstered by university students wearing buttons 'Let's Make History: Vote Yes,' area voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum allowing the sale of alcohol in a town that has been dry since 1949.
Preliminary returns showed that more than 69 percent of the voters approvedselling beer and wine at restaurants and package stores and opening a state-controlled liquor store.
Town officials said voter interest was heavy -- almost double the turnout for last fall's municipal elections. With five of six precints reporting, about 42 percent of the area's 8,653 voters cast ballots on the liquor referendum, while only 24 percent voted in the October elections.
The sale of beer at restaurants, hotels and motels with a Grade A sanatation rating was approved by a margin of 3,479 to 1,489, with five precincts reporting. Voters approved the sale of wine 3,468 to 1,492. An ABC store in town was favored 3,438 to 1,525.
The referendum had sharply divided the town up until the last week before the voting. Students at Appalachian State University rallied for approving alcohol sales, while many town residents campaigned that liquor in the community would lead young people to trouble.
