RIP - The Strip

Alcohol still weeks from stores
By Adam D. Young | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

It will be eight weeks or more before shoppers see beer and wine in grocers' coolers as stores line up to receive state alcohol permits.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will issue permits to sell alcohol throughout Lubbock County after voters overwhelming approved two propositions expanding alcohol sales during Saturday's county-wide election.

But questions about Lubbock's zoning ordinances could further slow the process of opening the city up to alcohol retailers.

Challenging the city's alcohol zoning ordinances, Pinkie's and Majestic Liquor, which own the liquor stores at The Strip, last week filed a lawsuit against the city of Lubbock and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission claiming the ordinances violate state law. The Lubbock City Council approved alcohol zoning ordinances in November 2008 in anticipation of Saturday's vote.

Anti-alcohol PAC Truth About Alcohol Sales co-chairman Josh Allen said while he's not involved in the suit, he does not "believe the City Council has much of an ordinance to stand on."

Rest of story here.

Well color me wrong. I said there was no way this ordinance would ever pass in Lubbock, mostly because I always saw opposition get crushed when I was at Tech. But the kids got it done and kudos to them. You should be able to buy a beer in the city.

But allow me to play devil's advocate quickly. These kids are going to miss out on a genuine, fun Tech tradition. The drive to the strip - whether it be jubilant after a Tech game, somber after a night of heavy drinking or a bad break-up or in any other mood was an experience. A time to crank up the jams and look forward to getting your fix. But on the other hand being able to get a tallboy at the corner store is pretty nice too!