LOCKEPORT, N.S. – A so-called “dry” town Nova Scotia’s South Shore is dry no more.
For more than a century, bars and pubs have been banned in the community of Lockeport.
But, the people have spoken and the alcohol will be flowing.
Town residents voted in a plebiscite Tuesday evening to end a ban on drinking establishments.
The law has been in place ever since Lockeporte was established 106 years ago.
“I guess, as Bob Dylan said, the times they are a changing,” Lockeport Mayor Darian Huskilson told Global News.
He said he was surprised it took this long for residents to vote in favour of ending the ban.
The town of 700 residents wasn’t completely dry. There is a liquor store and a licensed restaurant, but alcohol must be served with food.
But until now, bars and pubs were not allowed.
All towns in Nova Scotia are technically dry until a plebiscite is held and residents of an area vote to become wet.
This dates back to prohibition and not every district or town in the province has given up their dry status.
In fact, according to the government, there are still 105 dry areas in Nova Scotia.
Huskilson thinks it could be a good business opportunity for Lockeport, as the tourism industry in the area is second only to the fishing industry.
Local business owner Lorraine Robinson welcomes the addition of pubs and hopes it will attract more tourist dollars.
“People like to road trip and they’ll say ‘Let’s go to Lockeporte for a beer,'” Robinson, the owner of Town & Country Diner, said with a laugh.
Robinson has already put an application in to have her diner licensed.
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