Liquor stores may be open in Rockwood soon

By JENNIFER RAYMOND

jraymond@roanecounty.com

The city that was a spot on the infamous Thunder Road will have two liquor stores opening their doors soon.

These two liquor stores would be the first allowed in Rockwood and expect to be open by Labor Day, according to city recorder Jim Hines.

In the November 2008 election, referendums for the allowance of package liquor stores and liquor by the drink were placed on the ballot after petitions were circulated and gained the required signatures.

After the election, Rockwood City Council established an ordinance for the liquor stores and set up a lottery-type drawing to determine which residents would be allowed to open a liquor store in the city.

Janet Manuel and Howard Devaney were picked randomly from eight applicants.

Both chose locations along Gateway Avenue.

Manuel chose a spot between Gateway Super Market and Family Dollar. Her store will be called 518 Liquor and Wine.

Devaney’s store, Gateway Spirits, will be in the old Ford building at 412 Gateway Ave.

Hines said both have received their approval and permits from the state.

“It looks like all the hoops have been jumped through,” he said.

Hines added that now both Devaney and Manuel are free to purchase liquor to stock their shelves.