After 65 yrs, alcohol sold in Ill. town

MARTINSVILLE, Ill. (WTHI) - For the first time in a generation, people can legally buy alcohol in Martinsville, Ill.

Only one business in Martinsville has started selling package liquor since prohibition was overturned in April. Its owner said business has been good.

"This will be probably somewhere between eight and 10 percent of our gross inside sales going forward," owner of Martinsville's Travel Mart, Brial Morrill, said.

Those in favor of ending prohibition said increased tax revenue from alcohol sales would benefit the small Illinois town. But some say repealing 65 years of prohibition will lead to problems for folks used to living in a dry town.

"There are no benefits," Patsor Art Orndorff of the Martinsville Baptist Church said. "It seems it ends up costing taxpayers more money to help the families that are in distress as a result."

But Morrill said the voters have spoken in favor of alcohol sales. As business picks up, he says he'll continue selling alcohol, but he'll keep a close eye on who's buying.