Buying Beer In Alamo, Nevada: What's The Deal?

Nevada is known for its lax alcohol laws, with alcohol sold in grocery stores, gas stations, and package stores 24/7. However, the small town of Alamo, NV, has been a dry town since 1985, prohibiting the sale of beer, wine, and spirits within its borders. In 2023, the town's board voted to recommend lifting this ban to boost the local economy and create jobs. The Lincoln County Commission will decide whether to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in Alamo, which could make Panaca the only remaining dry town in Nevada.

Alcohol ban in Alamo, Nevada

The small rural town of Alamo in Lincoln County, Nevada, has been a "dry" town since 1985, with a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages within its borders. However, in February 2023, the town's board voted 5-0 to recommend repealing this ban, with three of the votes coming from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religion that counsels its adherents to refrain from alcohol.

For years, residents of Alamo who wanted to consume alcohol simply drove to gas stations and small stores outside the town limits. However, the town's attention turned to self-preservation when a Las Vegas-based grocery chain, Green Valley Grocery, opened an outlet in Ash Springs, just 7 miles north of Alamo, selling both gasoline and liquor. This development raised concerns among locals about the potential impact on Great Basin Foods, Alamo's only locally-owned supermarket.

There were also speculations that another grocery store, possibly another Green Valley Grocery, might be built just outside the town limits, driving customers away from Great Basin Foods and the adjacent Sinclair gas station. This potential loss of business, along with the desire to attract more jobs and economic development, prompted the town board to consider lifting the alcohol ban.

The closest place to Alamo where alcohol can be purchased is a small-scale liquor store at the Sunset View Inn, a motel just over a mile south of the town border. The owner of the motel, Pam Broxson, stated that if liquor is legalized in Alamo and the local businesses start selling alcohol, she would have to close her liquor store as they would be able to offer lower prices.

The proposal to lift the alcohol ban in Alamo faced some opposition from residents, including Pauline Broadhead, an 80-year-old member of the LDS church, who expressed concern about alcohol being sold in close proximity to children. However, other residents, such as Susan McGhie, welcomed the idea of being able to purchase alcohol closer to home.

The town board's request to permit alcohol sales

The town board of Alamo, Nevada, has requested that the Lincoln County Commission change its ordinance to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages within the town's limits. The request was made by Vern Holaday, owner of the Alamo Inn and chair of the Alamo town board. The board is seeking to lift a decades-long ban on alcohol sales in the town, which was adopted in 1985. The main reason for the proposed change is to allow local businesses, such as the supermarket and gas station, to be able to compete with rival businesses outside of town that sell alcohol. Holaday assured that "it's not like there's going to be a bar on every corner in town," and county law prohibits alcohol sales within 1,500 feet of a church, school, or another alcohol business.

The town of Alamo is an unincorporated community in Lincoln County, located about 90 miles north of Las Vegas along U.S. Route 93. It has a population of around 1,100 people, many of whom are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. The Mormon faith preaches abstinence from alcohol. Despite this, the town board voted 5-0 to recommend allowing alcohol sales, with three of those votes coming from members of the Mormon church.

The request to permit alcohol sales in Alamo has been approved by the Lincoln County Commission. This decision was made to support local businesses and boost the economy, as well as to address concerns about the potential impact of corporate chain stores on local businesses. However, not everyone in the town is in favor of the change. Some residents, especially those with children, have expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of alcohol sales on the community.

The repeal of the alcohol ban in Alamo is expected to take effect within 30 days of the county commission's decision. After the repeal, Panaca will be the only remaining town in Nevada to prohibit alcohol sales. The change will allow stores in Alamo to sell alcoholic beverages, but bars will still not be permitted. Alamo's local businesses will now be able to compete with rival establishments outside the town that already sell alcohol.

The impact on local businesses

The town of Alamo, Nevada, has been "dry" since 1985, with a ban on businesses selling beer, wine, or spirits within its borders. However, in February 2023, the town's board requested that the Lincoln County Commission change its ordinance to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages. This move towards lifting the alcohol ban has potential impacts on local businesses in Alamo.

One of the main concerns is the potential impact on existing local businesses, particularly Great Basin Foods, the town's only supermarket. With the opening of a Las Vegas-based Green Valley Grocery chain store in nearby Ash Springs, there are worries that a larger corporation with more purchasing power could draw customers away from Great Basin Foods. If alcohol sales are permitted in Alamo, it is possible that another grocery store chain could set up just outside the town limits, intensifying the competition for Great Basin Foods.

Sunset View Inn, a motel just outside Alamo, currently operates the closest liquor store to the town. The owner, Pam Broxson, has expressed concerns that if alcohol is legalized in Alamo and sold in Great Basin Foods or the adjacent Sinclair gas station, she will be forced to close her liquor store as she won't be able to compete on price. Broxson also raises the possibility of a larger Green Valley Grocery store with amenities like laundry services being established near the town, which she fears could "kill this little town" by drawing business away from the family-run Sinclair gas station.

On the other hand, some local businesses in Alamo are in favor of lifting the alcohol ban, citing economic development and job creation as potential benefits. Vern Holaday, owner of the Alamo Inn and chair of the Alamo town board, introduced the proposed law change. He acknowledges that while the town has a strong Mormon heritage that traditionally refrains from alcohol, the decision to recommend lifting the ban was driven more by business considerations than religious ones. Holaday highlights the potential for new businesses and job opportunities in Alamo, which currently has limited economic prospects.

The impact of lifting the alcohol ban in Alamo remains to be seen, but it is clear that there are mixed feelings among local businesses. While some worry about increased competition and changing dynamics, others see it as an opportunity for economic growth and attracting new businesses to the area.

Religious influence in the town

Alamo, Nevada, is a small, quiet farming community located about 90 miles north of Las Vegas. The town was named in commemoration of the Battle of the Alamo, and many of its early settlers were Mormons.

Due to the religious roots and principles of these original settlers, alcohol sales were banned in Alamo. A large share of the town's residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and their faith preaches abstinence from alcohol.

However, in 2022, there was a shift as the town board proposed allowing alcohol sales in gas stations and supermarkets while still restricting bars. This change may have been influenced by the growing tourism in the area, as Alamo is a popular stop for travellers exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway and visiting nearby attractions like Area 51 and the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

The religious influence in Alamo, Nevada, is also evident in the presence of several churches representing different denominations. In addition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is also the Christian Bible Fellowship Church and the Trinity Assembly of God. These churches provide spiritual guidance and shape the religious landscape of the town.

It is worth noting that another religious group, the Alamo Christian Foundation, was founded in 1969 by Tony Alamo and his wife, Susan Alamo. However, this group was considered a cult, and Tony Alamo was convicted of various crimes, including child rape offenses, and sentenced to 175 years in prison. The foundation faced legal troubles and was criticised for its manner of evangelization and abusive practices.

The closest place to buy alcohol

Alamo, Nevada, is what is known as a "dry" town, meaning that, by law, businesses are not allowed to sell beer, wine, or spirits within its borders. This prohibition has been in place since 1985. However, that doesn't mean that residents of Alamo who want alcohol are out of luck. For years, those who wanted a drink simply drove to gas stations and small stores outside the town limits to buy package liquor. The closest place to buy alcohol is a small-scale liquor store at the Sunset View Inn, a motel just over a mile south of the town border on U.S. Highway 93.

Recently, however, there has been a push to lift the alcohol ban in Alamo. In February 2023, the town's board requested that the Lincoln County Commission change its ordinance to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages within the town. The board passed the alcohol sales proposal in November 2022 with a 5-0 vote, with three of those votes coming from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose adherents are counselled to refrain from alcohol. The main reason for the proposal to lift the ban is to attract more businesses to the town and create more job opportunities.

If the ban is lifted, it will be possible to buy alcohol within the town limits of Alamo, but it is unclear exactly where and when alcohol will be available for purchase. There are strict regulations in place regarding the proximity of alcohol sales businesses to schools and churches, and applicants for liquor licenses will likely have to apply for a zoning change. It remains to be seen whether the proposal to lift the alcohol ban will be successful, but if it is, it could bring about significant changes for the town of Alamo.

Frequently asked questions