N.J. may lose one of its last ‘dry towns’ if voters agree to allow liquor licenses

One of New Jersey’s few remaining “dry towns” is asking voters whether local restaurants should be allowed to sell liquor.
Haddon Heights in Camden County has a ballot question Tuesday on permitting retail consumption licenses.
It is a nonbinding referendum, meaning that approval would not necessarily result in any change in policy. The borough council has the final say.
MORE: Election 2024: Voter guide for New Jersey’s November election
Haddon Heights Mayor Zachary Houck said he supports allowing liquor sales and making the change would aid in the ongoing redevelopment of the borough’s business district.
“It would be beneficial to the community,” Houck told NJ Advance Media on Thursday.
“This town has been dry for 120 years,” the mayor said, noting the borough never had an ordinance forbidding liquor sales. But, it never had an ordinance permitting them, either.
“Let’s give the community a chance to voice their opinion,” Houck said.
Haddon Heights was incorporated in 1904 and does not have any liquor stores or bars. It is among 30 municipalities that, as of April, did not allow retail consumption licenses, according to the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association.
Haddon Heights is home to approximately 7,400 residents and would be in a position to offer two retail liquor licenses if a change is made, said Michael Mansdoerfer, the borough’s chief financial officer.
New Jersey law allows one retail liquor license for every 3,000 residents. Gov. Phil Murphy proposed expanding the number of restaurant liquor licenses in New Jersey in his State of the State address in 2023.
Haddon Heights is the latest town in which voters or elected officials are weighing changing local liquor licensing ordinances.
In Bergen County, Rutherford issued its first liquor license in more than a century to a restaurant last year, three years after voters approved a ballot question. The borough previously had allowed only liquor stores.
In Cape May County, the Ocean City council in September passed a resolution in support of keeping its prohibition on alcohol sales, which has been in place for 115 years.
Houck said he expects the council in Haddon Heights will be guided by Tuesday’s vote if it offers a clear choice on whether voters want to remain a dry town.
“If the community comes out and voices an opinion that says we are staunchly against this, I think most of the council would be inclined to say, OK. If it’s a split decision, that’s where we have to make the decision,” Houck said.
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Rob Jennings may be reached at [email protected].