New Jersey Town Votes to End 150-Year Ban on Alcohol Sales
Andrew Powell · Nov 12, 2026 · 2 min read
A New Jersey borough known for its restaurants and longtime alcohol restrictions is preparing for a major change after voters approved a measure allowing licensed establishments to sell drinks for customers to enjoy on-site.
According to Fox News, Collingswood, located outside Philadelphia, voted Nov. 3 to end a ban on alcohol sales that dates back to the 19th century.
The ballot measure passed with 3,635 votes in favor and 2,381 opposed, according to election data from Camden County obtained by Fox News Digital.
The result gave supporters a 60.4% majority, compared with 39.6% who voted against the proposal. All 12 precincts reported results, with 6,016 votes cast on the question.
The measure asked residents whether retail sales of alcoholic beverages should be permitted at licensed businesses for consumption on the premises, including drinks served by the glass or another open container.
Collingswood's restrictions trace back to 1873, when residents voted to prohibit alcohol sales in the area, which was then part of Haddon Township, according to a 2019 environmental resource inventory published by the borough.
The community had another opportunity to change the policy in 1935, two years after the end of Prohibition. That proposal was rejected by an overwhelming margin, with 3,859 residents voting against allowing retail alcohol sales and just 774 supporting the change, according to a New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control bulletin from that year.
Deputy Mayor Amy Henderson Riley celebrated the latest vote, describing it as a historic moment for the borough.
“After 91 years, Collingswood is no longer a dry town,” Riley wrote in a social media post, referencing the failed 1935 ballot measure.
The proposal had generated debate among residents before Election Day, including on a South Jersey-focused Reddit forum. Some argued that allowing liquor licenses would help local restaurants, while others said the borough's BYOB culture was part of what made its dining scene successful.
One commenter argued that restaurants should succeed based on food quality rather than their ability to afford a liquor license.
Collingswood's decision comes as another longstanding alcohol restriction faces legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court has agreed to review a federal law dating to 1868 that prohibits Americans from distilling spirits at home, even for personal use.