ROGERSVILLE — Beer, wine and liquor could for the first time be on the shelves of a few Rogersville businesses by the end of the week.

Lt. Gene Schrieber, of the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board office in Florence, said he has received four liquor applications that have been approved by the Rogersville City Council.

He said his office is processing the applications and when completed they will be sent to the state ABC office in Montgomery for final approval.

“Montgomery will make the final approval and issue the license,” Schrieber said. “They will email us the license; we will contact the business to have someone to come to our office and get their license.”

He said it usually takes about 24 hours for the local office to get information back from Montgomery.

Rogersville Police Chief Terry Holden said the four businesses approved by the council are Warren’s Food Mart on U.S. 72, Quick Mart on U.S. 72, Lil’ Steve’s on U.S. 72 and Cafe Savanna on Lee Street.

“They all are very close to getting the final approval from the state and being able to start selling liquor,” Holden said. “It will be a new experience for us.”

Rogersville residents voted Nov. 6 to allow liquor to be sold inside town limits.

Since the election, the council has worked with the town’s attorney and ABC board officials to develop an ordinance outlining the application process for businesses.

“We’re sitting on ready,” said Joe Warren, owner of Warren’s convenience store on U.S. 72. “We could get the call any day.”

Warren said customers have asked him almost daily about when they can start buying liquor.

“We’re ready, the people are ready,” Warren said.

Rogersville resident Tom Waddell spurred the petition drive to get the issue on the November ballot.

He said his involvement is based on a desire to help the town financially.

“To me, it was nothing more than an economic issue,” Waddell said. “We were losing revenue from the sale of liquor to areas all around us.

“This is going to mean a new revenue source for the town. I hope (the council) will let the revenue build up since it’s not in the budget already. No matter what, this is going to be revenue the town has never had the opportunity to get before.”

Warren added he expects new businesses to open in town as a result.

“It’s going to be a big plus for this town,” he said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.