‘Dry as you can get’ town faces wet vote
10/30/09 | 22 comments

‘Dry as you can get’ town faces wet vote


By Abigail Curtis
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY ABIGAIL CURTIS
Lobster buoys from local fisherman hang from the eaves of the colorful Archie Wallace store. When lobster prices plummeted last year, the store's fortunes fell, too, said co-owner Ernie Coletti. Buy Photo

FRIENDSHIP, Maine — The Archie Wallace store is the only market in town, selling everything from gas to sandwiches to fresh fruits and vegetables. But one thing that the lobstermen and summer people who shop here can’t buy is alcohol, and that has made business tough, said owners Ernie and Joan Coletti.

“Selling beer and wine would increase revenues,” Ernie Coletti said Thursday. “More importantly, it would increase stuff we sell along with the beer and wine. A lot of people don’t realize that a lot of small stores like ours are in a bad position.”

Three recent attempts to overturn the ban on alcohol sales failed in 1987, 1992 and 2000, when residents voted against a reversal 533-202.

The Colettis hope that the fourth time will be the charm. Residents will decide again Tuesday whether to allow alcohol to be sold within town limits — a choice that has left some in the community more bemused than anything else.

“I find it kind of unusual in this day and age that a town is still dry,” said the Rev. Bob Dorr of the Friendship United Methodist Church.

The community, which counted 1,204 residents at the last census, has been a “dry” town at least since Prohibition began in 1919. Town Clerk Joel Fearn said that sales of all types of alcohol are not allowed within its limits. Even cash bars at weddings are forbidden, he said.

According to Jeff Austin, supervisor at the Maine State Police Liquor Licensing and Compliance Department, after Prohibition ended in 1933, all communities in the state were given the option of how to control liquor sales. More than 40 are still “dry in one way or another,” he said, though not all have regulations as tough as those in Friendship.

“That’s as dry as you can get,” he said.

One reason for Friendship’s dry spell might be the very strong influence of Advent Christian Church and Friendship Methodist, said local historian Lee Jahnke. “That probably keeps it dry today,” she said.

The Colettis say that the store’s future depends on changing the town’s attitude on alcohol.

“The truth of the matter is, if we’re not supported more by the community, we may not be here next year,” said Joan Coletti.

Andrew Anderson, a sternman on a lobster boat, was happy to sign the petition — although he said that he probably wouldn’t vote next week.

“I’d be fine with it,” Anderson said. “It would save a lot of people from going to Waldoboro. I’d buy here if they had it.”

His brother, lobster buyer Jamie Anderson, said that he, too, would like to see the ban overturned.

“It takes money out of these folks’ pockets,” he said. “This store is very important. It’s the only place to go.”

Ernie and Joan Coletti are hoping, hard, that lots of people agree with the Andersons. They said that they came to Maine from Massachusetts because they wanted to raise their family in a smaller, more tightly knit community. They love Friendship, they said, but the bad tourism summer, the lobster price collapse and the recession have left them in a difficult financial spot.

“There was hardly any profit over the winter,” Ernie Coletti said, adding that the store serves as a town center that sells goods by local artists and is the drop-off point for the flu vaccine for nearby island communities.

The Colettis say it’s hard to watch a lot of their potential customers drive miles down the road to Waldoboro and Thomaston to buy beer and wine.

“We really want to stay,” Joan Coletti said, “but we have to be as competitive as the store down the street.”

Marge Flood has lived in Friendship since 1993 and said that while she wouldn’t be surprised if voters allow the sale of alcohol, the Colettis can’t get her vote.

“My mom was a member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union,” she said with a smile. “I have to vote no. She’d haunt me if I didn’t.”

acurtis@bangordailynews.net

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Comments
22 comments on this item
On 10/30/09 at 12:12 AM, Bulldog44 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I think its great that the town is dry. Why change it now?

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On 10/30/09 at 12:25 AM, EastCoastGirl wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Is the point of remaining a dry town just for the novelty of being a dry town? It's not like it's preventing the local people from possesion or consumption of alcohol, so what's the logical point of not selling it?

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On 10/30/09 at 1:48 AM, scottcom36 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Do the residents get a kick out of pretending they're rumrunners, bringing back a trunkload of hooch from Waldoboro?

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On 10/30/09 at 5:06 AM, AionCA wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's a huge waste to have to drive for half an hour just for a bottle of wine or a six pack.

And it makes other towns money at the locals expense.

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On 10/30/09 at 5:31 AM, wallyo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Go Green , stop wasting gas and go wet.

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On 10/30/09 at 8:16 AM, DaddyBiggs wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am sure you can buy a bag of weed right in town though. Go Green.

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On 10/30/09 at 9:02 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I was a real drunk when I was younger. When I decided to quit it was a help to me that this end of the County was legally dry, and I had to drive a long way to obtain liquor. Machias had Woody's and the Armstrong House, but if you planned to drink there you better bring friends and know how to fight. I'm not telling Friendship what to do, but if you are going wet. maybe you should consider a name-change for the town.

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On 10/30/09 at 9:14 AM, BarbaraM99 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The only store don't sell beer and wine,,,Keep it that way. I wish a lot of stores were dry. I don't drink and I don't smoke.

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On 10/30/09 at 9:25 AM, CJSBDN wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What about the risk of a DUI oer someone who shouldn't be on the road driving to get booze.I hope they go "wet" and good luck to the store.

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On 10/30/09 at 9:25 AM, CJSBDN wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What about the risk of a DUI oer someone who shouldn't be on the road driving to get booze.I hope they go "wet" and good luck to the store.

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On 10/30/09 at 11:08 AM, newsnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hey -- all -- want to hear a cute one? - Years ago when the Town of Princeton wanted a vote to allow alcohol sales, one woman stated (very loudly) at the Voting Polls that SHE voted to keep Princeton DRY because she did not want the drinkers to throw any beer bottles on HER lawn. I laughed until I cried at that!!! Princeton voted "wet" that year!!

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On 10/30/09 at 11:21 AM, whaleback wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good luck to the Colettis, that last vote in 2000 wasn't even close. As people have posted, you have to wonder how many of these folks make those infamous beer runs? Without the license they soon may be running after more than beer.......town would be wise to go wet.

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On 10/30/09 at 11:37 AM, whaleback wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Jonesport is dry too

Wow, could have fooled me.........ever go there for the 4th of July celebration? LOL....about as "wet" as you can get!

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On 10/30/09 at 11:58 AM, Serendipity wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I wish more people in Maine were small business oriented. This business could and probably will go under without a license to sell alcohol. If someone wants a bag of chips, they will go to the nearest store to get it. If someone wants a bag of chips and a beer, are they going to go to the nearest store for one thing and another store for another? No. They will get all their needs at one place. If this business goes under because their sales are going to other towns, drinkers won't be the only ones having to drive a half hour for one item.

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On 10/30/09 at 12:50 PM, stcroixvalley1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

To vote no because of tradition or that “mom” would haunt me is ridicules. If I were the store owners, I would close down for the weekend, just to show the locals what it would be like without the store! Most people have not a clue how hard it is to keep a business going in Maine at this point. The economy is taking such a toll. Please vote YES, and also please shop local.

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On 10/30/09 at 2:01 PM, Hampden1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Tide Has Changed! They are giving you ample warning! If this vote fails again they will not be there next year!! Duh!! Take care of the issue this round!!

I can't imagine there are less bottle tippers there even if it is dry! People will certainly have the convenience locally vs. driving out of town. Good Luck!!

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On 10/30/09 at 2:31 PM, In_Maine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well, it is a pretty sad testament to say on the one hand that your business can only survive if you are allowed to sell alcohol, and yet buying or starting the business in a town you know doesn't allow it, and then whining about it. I am all for buying local, and have nothing against beer and wine per se, but I can't bring myself to be too sympathetic in this case.

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On 10/30/09 at 4:13 PM, DougLavigne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does Miller High Life know about this, how about the Bud Man, or the Coors Kid, that's it, I'm calling Crown Royal.

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On 10/30/09 at 4:16 PM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Addisonattimes wrote:

"People need to think a little more. Banning something because you do not do it does not help you at all and it hurts those that do wish to do it. "

I agree; We don't need speed limits, seat belt laws, anti drug laws, and what about this ban on drinking and driving. Just because some people drink too much doesn't mean everyone does. I could like this new world where people didn't get in my way when I felt the need to "express myself" Seriously, I've been waiting my whole life for a libertarian society, why not here, why not now

For the answer see Janet Mills position on British lemonade.

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On 10/30/09 at 6:53 PM, shopkins wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

To Addisonattimes;;;; Jonesport is not a dry town nor has it ever been!!! You need to go to Stewarts Grocery and pick up a bottle..Or check out Manaford's... I 'm sure Manny can help you out if you're thirsty.... I was born there and graduated in 81' Most of the people in town drink and have a hell of alot of fun and fights.... Beals Island on the other hand is a dry town!! And always has been. Most of the Islanders came to Jonesport to buy theirs, or they picked it up on a trip to Machias.

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On 10/30/09 at 8:14 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'd vote hands down to keep it dry... We have children who have alcohol in their hands at tender ages... and they're doing irresponsible things. We have some parents who party right along with the kids and think it's ok. We have kids who steal booze from their parents unlocked cabinets, from stores and have their older friends buy booze for them. Finally, we have irresponsible adults who still think it's ok to drink and drive. Who would vote for a change and inherit all the problems that go along with it?!!

Before someone blames me for opposition due to religious beliefs and and thinks I'm one of the few who will vote Yes on 1... I want to make it perfectly clear that religion has nothing to do with my belief, and I am voting NO on 1. Common sense and history tells me that having booze around causes more problems than it's worth!

To vote a town in and allow alcohol to be sold simply because a store is not making good money is insane!!! If you're planning on having a few drinks, plan ahead... stock up and keep your stock locked!

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On 11/1/09 at 9:15 AM, Rogue_Wave wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The fact that someone opened a store knowing that the town is dry is reason enough not to change the rule now. It wasnt a surprise when they found out....they obviously want to make more money which is normal but they should have thought this out before they opened up shop all those years ago. Alcohol is the evil of society; society is the eveil of mankind.

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