BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — The question was on the ballots, and the voters said "yes" to alcohol sales in Lee County, and in Beattyville.
But beer, bourbon, and wine aren't heading to shelves just yet.
City and county officials are still working together on an ordinance that makes the most sense for Lee County and for Beattyville.
County Judge Executive Chuck Caudill is finishing up his first year in office, which is just down the street from what he calls the birth place of the Kentucky River.
"So I think that's something we've undersold over the past few decades, and I think it's something we have to get better at," said Caudill.
Beyond the beauty of the mountains and the river, Caudill is optimistic that approved alcohol sales may bring new opportunities.
"We could see restaurants that are more willing to come to this area and look at us as a viable place to open up a restaurant. Because the success rate of restaurants that sell alcohol is far greater than those that don't," said Caudill.
So when do wine, beer and bourbon legally hit shelves? It's not completely clear yet, but the hope is for ordinances to be in place by January 4.
The city and county will hold their own meetings and two readings, taking input from attorneys and the locals.
But they will work together on what the final rules will look like for alcohol sales, and have uniform ordinances.
"And it would keep a lot of trouble down as far as understanding that we have one ordinance that covers everybody," said Mayor Scott Jackson.
Judge Caudill and Mayor Jackson say alcohol won't necessarily bring tourists here, but now people will have a choice, and there is one less obstacle standing in the way to bring new business.
