SMITH COUNTY (KYTX) - Thousands of people inked their name to petitions hoping to vote for beer and wine sales in stores in the city of Tyler and parts of Smith County.
But the petitions also include the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants.
Four boxes full of petition sheets were brought into Tyler City Hall this afternoon for the city petitions.
And more boxes went to the county for the Precinct 2 petitions.
That's leaving some business owners thinking about possibilities in the future.
At Ribmaster's in Bullard you can get your order with any drink you'd like because it's BYOB.
But manager Dina Hollowell says they'd consider getting a liquor license if the proposition is passed in Precinct 2.
"If our customers really want that, we're looking to expand and do something. We'd like to have music in and along with music goes alcohol," says Hollowell.
Committee members with Buy Local First turned in boxes worth of signatures, people who signed the line, saying they're ready to vote on alcohol in Tyler and in Precinct 2 Smith County.
"We had so much overwhelming support, people from Whitehouse wanted to sign, so we had to verify all the signatures," says Laura Corbett with the Buy Local First Committee.
With these two petitions there won't be any sales for hard liquor like you see here at Oasis in Troup.
All of this on the shelves won't be in the city of Tyler, or at a store in Precinct 2.
"While election administrators are validating the signatures, we plan to do the same thing," says Deon Williams with Stand Strong for Tyler, a group opposing alcohol sales.
Williams says the overwhelming support is why the validation process is important.
Williams wants to be sure the more than 9,000 people who signed in Tyler are registered voters.
"As adults and parents we have to look at making decisions beyond ourselves," says Williams.
But for some, the cut it would bring makes business sense.
"If we sell mixed drinks ... that would bring more people in, I think. Beer and BBQ just go together," says Hollowell.
Those 9,100 signatures for Tyler and 7,100 for Precinct 2 still have to be validated before they can be voted on to appear on the ballot.
Looks like a lot of work still to be done in the next 30 days.
The City of Tyler and Smith County have 30 days to verify signatures.
If the required number is met, the local option will be on the November ballot.
