Winona voters end alcohol drought in Smith Co.

Alcohol sales haven’t been legal in neighboring Smith County for 70 years, but voters in tiny Winona changed all that in Tuesday’s election.

The owner of one Kilgore package store located near the Gregg-Smith County line says he isn’t sure exactly how that will affect his sales but he’s not going to worry too much.

“Whatever happens, happens,” said Manny Khieu, whose family has owned Texas Tea Beer & Wine on Hwy. 31 for the past six years.

Khieu added he wasn’t sure how many Winona citizens voted in the election but he thought it was a small percentage.

“I think it was very arrogant of the city manager and council to allow such a ballot to continue. I think they should toss it out,” Khieu said.

The Nov. 3 election to approve or disapprove of Proposition 1 to legalize the sale of beer, wine and liquor for offpremise consumption was the second in five months.

The first election in May resulted in a tie, 94-94, which was considered a “no” vote but subsequent investigation and a lawsuit revealed seven people who did not actually live within the city limits cast ballots. A judge ruled another election could be held and voters approved 124-106, with 58 percent of Winona’s 300 registered voters casting ballots.

Khieu estimates the package stores along the county line won’t suffer much, even though Winona is a few miles clos- er to Tyler.

Also, it likely will be several months before any sales are made as Winona city aldermen must enact ordinances that must also be approved by the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission before the first license to sell alcohol is issued.

Connie Sexton, Winona city secretary, said the town, with a population of approximately 600, presently has one convenience store.

“I don’t know if the store is planning to sell alcohol or not,” Sexton said Wednesday morning. The store’s manager could not be contacted by telephone.