Pembroke voters reveal thirst for liquor by the drink

From Staff Reports

Pembroke voters on Dec. 9 approved selling liquor by the drink in town. The unofficial vote count was 438 for it and 199 against.

Back in January 2005, residents had voted down the sale of mixed drinks by 231 to 172.

Pembroke has 2,002 registered voters. Elections officials said many young voters participated in the balloting this year.

Now, private businesses, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to sell mixed drinks.

Proponents of the new law had said the availability of liquor by the drink would attract upscale restaurants and generate more jobs. Opponents had said they didn't like the idea of selling mixed drinks to students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke who might abuse it.

Hotel coming. The First American Hotel Group is constructing a $4.8 million Holiday Inn Express on the west end of Pembroke. It is scheduled to open in October 2009.

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