Liquor by the drink passes in Lumpkin County - according to the "Dahlonega Nugget" - With 6,214 total votes cast, Lumpkin County's liquor-by-the-drink referendum passed 3,727-2,363, or 62 percent to 38 percent. That means 124 voters disregarded or neglected the question altogether.

Lumpkin already had beer and wine by the drink as of a couple of years ago. No wonder the square in Dahlonega is getting all kinds of good little unique restaurants that are great to visit and eat at.

Read it all here...
Dahlonega, Lumpkin County: The Dahlonega Nugget. The local newspaper for Dahlonega, Georgia > News > Liquor referendum passes, locals choose Huckabee, Clinton

Now why can't people in Fannin just "disregard or neglect the question altogether" if they dont like it??

Take heart though - wasn't THAT long ago when Dahlonega and Lumpkin were as backward as Fannin seems to be - and look at it now - blossoming into a wonderful tourist area, nationally acclaimed as "One of the best places to Retire" by US News and World Report. so there's hope for Fannin - just import a few more people in the coming years and progress will come.

as read in "The Dahlonega Nugget"

Lumpkin County voters approved a liquor-by-the-drink referendum by a vote of 3,730 to 2,364 in last week's primary election. It will take some time before restaurant owners can begin serving those margaritas and frozen daiquiris, however.

First, county attorney K.C. Horne must write an ordinance to govern the sale of alcohol and how it is licensed.

Horne said he has provided ordinances from surrounding counties to members of the board of commissioners.

Once their comments are in hand, he will re-write the current beer and wine ordinance to include the licensing of those wishing to sell distilled spirits for on-premises consumption.

“This is not for your corner bar,” Horne said. “The primary purpose of the establishment must be food service, which will have to be some percentage of total sales.”

The board of commissioners will determine what percentage is necessary. In the city of Dahlonega, 50 percent of sales must come from food in order to keep an alcohol license.

Horne said the target date for having a draft ordinance to the board is Thursday, March 6 at the work session, but it could be as late as April. The board must then approve the ordinance during a regular meeting before a license can be applied for.

No cost for the license has yet been established. That, too, will be up to the board.