By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

Two middle aged women cautiously entered Arab’s newest business Tuesday morning.

“I can’t talk to you,” said the one wearing a Fairview Aggie t-shirt. “We are not even supposed to be here. We are playing hooky today.”

There are few shops one can patronize that get that type of reaction from a nosy reporter.

For residents of dry Cullman County, The Beverage Warehouse is such a shop.

Owner Jimmy Helms is betting on Cullman residents “who are not even supposed to be here” coming in droves.

Helms store opened on Friday, March 6, and has been a busy place ever since.

“On the opening day we actually had to have police direct traffic all day,” Helms said.

He said he is targeting all of Cullman and betting on his close proximity to the dry county.

“We will be close,” he said. “It will be closer and easier and prices are better. It’s a win/win for everybody.”

Tammy Steele of Baileyton was not ashamed to be seen Tuesday morning.

“I’m glad it’s here,” she said. “I wish Cullman would go wet. I would save on gas.”

Steele said she occasionally drinks and goes out with her husband.

“You would not believe who I see when I go out,” she said. “It’s just the hypocrites in Cullman who don’t want to be seen drinking or buying it.”

Helms said he has had customers from all surrounding counties.

Tamyra Warbrough worked at a wine distributor before coming to work for Helms.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “People said this (store opening) was the best day in Arab.”

Recently, the city of Arab passed ordinance number 2006-8, Arab Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance, which regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the city of Arab, provides licensing and establishes punishments for violations.

The first to apply for and receive licensing was Helms.

“I want to thank Arab and all the surrounding areas,” he said. “People have said how nice the store is and how large the selection is. I have had people tell me they are thankful that it’s positive for our city to have something this nice.”

Helms believes after the city sees the tax revenue they receive from alcohol sales, the ones against it will be happy too.

“It has been great for our economy and everyone local has been doing better,” he said. “Our city needed the revenue.”

Helms said he helped the local economy by hiring locals to work on the building.

“We have created a lot of jobs for people out of work,” he said. “They were just thankful for the work.”

He employs eight workers and has a full time wine specialist.

“It’s amazing the amount of revenue they will see,” Warbrough said.

Baileyton resident Greg Henderson said Cullman is missing out.

“I would like to see Cullman wet because we are missing out on tax revenue,” he said. “People are driving to Guntersville and Decatur and we could be getting that tax revenue.”

He thought Arab will ultimately benefit from the sales of alcohol and wishes Cullman would do the same.

The ordinance will impact Cullman as well. While some residents are happy to see their beer run shortened, others are opposed.

Steel said it is definitely an advantage for her because the trip will now only take a few minutes.

“If you’re going to buy it and drink it, why not buy it closer to home?” Steele said.

She said she does not see herself as a drunk, but on occasion, likes a drink.

“People think just because you are going to a beer store you are buying it to get drunk,” she said. “But you can have a drink occasionally.”

Baileyton Supermarket customer Derek Murphree said he likes the idea of having a beverage store closer to his town.

“It is more convenient if you are a drinker,” he said.

Murphree said he would drive to Arab for alcoholic beverages, but he’ll continue to shop at the Baileyton Supermarket for other grocery items.

“It will just be more convenient. Before we had to drive to Guntersville or Decatur. I saw a lot of 25 tags there,” he said referring to Cullman County license plates.

Henderson said it will definitely make it easier to get alcohol.

“I believe it will be easier for people to get it,” he said. “It will be closer, save miles on your car.”

Pat Gilbert, Baileyton town clerk, is looking on the bright side.

“In my opinion, people already drive to get that (alcohol), so if it is close by, maybe they will wait until they get home to drink it,” she said.

Henderson agreed with Gilbert, saying it will cut down on people drinking and driving.

“A lot of people drink on the way home if they drive to Guntersville, so with this only being a few minutes away, maybe people will wait until they get home,” he said.

Fairview mayor Randall Shedd said he is he not sure what to think about the new convenience for Cullman residents.

“I’ve had a lot of people talking to me about it,” he said. “I really don’t know what the impact will be.”

Shedd believes it will impact his community in some way, he just isn’t sure how much.

“It is just too soon to tell,” he said.

None of the Baileyton council members believe the opening of the store so close to home is a good thing.

“I think it is a bad thing,” council member Glenn Burden said.

Mayor Johnny Dyar agreed, echoing the fact that he does not want to support the sale of alcohol so close to his town.

Baileyton council member Bill McElroy said he thinks there will be more traffic stops by Arab police, who have jurisdiction, and Cullman county Sheriff’s deputies.

“It will be irritating because after dark they will be stopping everyone,” he said.

Sheriff Tyler Roden said he is concerned about a possible increase in drunk driving due to the new store.

“We hope individuals that purchase beverages there use wise judgment and abide by the law and do not drink and drive,” Roden said.

However, Roden added his office has no plans to increase patrols in the area near the business.

“We really can’t increase anymore than we already do,” he said.

Roden noted that the east side patrol field office of the sheriff’s office is located in Baileyton.

“We do patrol that area regularly,” he said. “If you drink and drive, we’ll catch you eventually.”

Faye Murphree, owner of the Joppa Quickstop said the only problem she has seen is “drunks” wanting to use her restroom.

“I had to put up a sign saying ‘Bathroom out of order’ because of so many drunks coming through,” she said Tuesday afternoon.

She is not worried about her business being affected by the opening.

“My business is good,” Murphree said. “I can’t tell a difference and I hope is doesn’t hurt.”

‰ Patrick McCreless contributed to this story.

‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.