By Laura Elder
The Daily News
Published November 4, 2009
FRIENDSWOOD — Breaking a 46-year dry spell, voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the sale of alcohol at restaurants and grocery stores in the city’s downtown.
Proposition 1, which would allow convenience stores and wine shops to sell beer and wine for off-premise consumption, passed with 2,505 votes — 68 percent — for, compared to 1,163 — 32 percent — against, according to complete, unofficial returns.
Proposition 2, which would allow restaurants to sell mixed beverages, passed with 2,648 votes — 72 percent — for, compared to 1,021 — 28 percent — against.
Both propositions allow alcohol sales in a corridor along FM 518 between FM 528 and FM 2351.
The city, founded by Quakers, banned alcohol sales in April 1963, the year Friendswood was incorporated.
Businessman and developer Tony Buzbee, who led a group that argued lifting the ban would lure new business, said the overwhelming victory proved residents were ready for change.
Opponents had argued lifting the ban would undermine the city’s heritage.
“The issue is dear to many people in town; they care deeply about it and I am one of them,” said Janis Lowe, a resident who opposed both propositions.
“Now, all interested parties have spoken. Friendswood will still be here in the morning, but will just be a bit different than it was yesterday.”
Alcohol sales downtown would not drastically change the character of Friendswood, Mayor David Smith said.
“We will still be a family-based, faith-based, education-based community,” Smith said.
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