Will this North Texas city have liquor stores? Voters will decide on Election Day

Elizabeth Campbell
·2 min read

Voters will decide if Richland Hills will have liquor stores.

The city of 8,600 is holding a local option election Nov. 7 on whether to allow all alcohol sales. Early voting begins Oct. 23.

Curtis Bergthold, a former council member who helped lead the petition drive, said a group of residents decided to move forward with getting the necessary signatures to get the alcohol sales election on the ballot. The city secretary approved 910 valid signatures.

The city needs more businesses, Bergthold said.

A Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods is in neighboring Hurst at 1415 W. Pipeline Road..

Bergthold said he likes “deversified businesses” in Richland Hills. He predicts people would likely come from nearby North Richland Hills and Haltom City, which don’t have liquor stores, if voters OK the proposal.

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Bergthold said most people supported the proposal, including nondrinkers.

“It’s not immoral; it’s just giving people the opportunity to shop local,” he said.

New homes are also coming to Baker Boulevard, a major thoroughfare through the city, which might help attract liquor stores. D.R. Horton is developing Baker Landing, with single-family homes between $300,000 and $400,000.

Keith Albee, who worked on the petition drive, said the group organized popup events and knocked on a lot of doors to get the necessary signatures.

“There were a few who opposed the election, but we feel good about it and think it will pass,” Albee said.

Albee said he and others want to see more sales tax dollars coming to Richland Hills. The city doesn’t have an estimate yet on how much sales tax revenue will come from liquor stores.

“We want the sales tax dollars. That’s what was the main driver for this election,” Albee said.