Andy Siegel, the lawyer for the “no” vote proponents in the recent liquor election, says he will file a lawsuit seeking to overturn the favorable vote on Proposition 1, i.e., wine and beer sales in convenience and grocery stores ( so-called off-premises sales), within 30 days of the official canvass of the votes (which should occur sometime this week).  During the time that litigation is pending, it is unclear whether applications for such sales would be processed.  Siegel tells me that TABC has reacted differently in different situations, but TABC has indicated that it won’t stop permit approval without a court order. Until the litigation is filed, and we see if an injunction is requested and granted, it is hard to predict at this time whether TABC would even accept Proposition 1 applications.

Several stores have stated that they are interested in locating in Oak Cliff once this issue is settled and, of course, lots of us would like to buy beer and wine at the Tom Thumb on Hampton.

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Fortunately for restaurants in Oak Cliff, Siegel also says he has no instructions to litigate Proposition 2 (on-premises sales of mixed drinks, beer and wine).  This is the proposition that got rid of the “private club” song and dance routine that restaurants and its patrons in Oak Cliff had to go through to order a glass of wine or a martini with their meal. Once the official canvass occurs for that Proposition, TABC should be able to process applications by restaurants.  If past experience is any indication, that approval process should take 6-8 weeks.

So, is it possible that Cliff dwellers will be able to order a cosmo at their favorite restaurant, without having to show a Unicard, by the end of the year?  Time will tell.

For a fuller history of this issue, read the October 2010 cover story of the Advocate.