The Murphy Chamber of Commerce has another month to gather 2,698 signatures of local registered voters in favor of holding a local option election on the retail sale of liquor in package stores.

The petition drive began May 17 and runs through July 17. Several chamber members are hosting signings, and the chamber is soliciting signatures at the Sounds at Sundown concerts held in Murphy Central Park every Friday night in June.

If enough signatures are validated, the Murphy City Council would have until Aug. 17 to put the issue on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Murphy held local option elections for alcohol sales in November 2002 and May 2012.

The 2002 election allowed restaurants to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption, known as “liquor by the drink.” In 2012, voters approved the retail sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption by grocery and convenience stores.

Although a petition circulated in 2017 and there was talk of a possible petition in October 2024, Murphy voters have never been asked whether to allow the package store sale of spirits for off-premises consumption.

Luke Trahan, chairman of the chamber’s Local Option Committee, said signing the petition just does not approve package stores — it just helps place the question before voters.

Because Murphy does not allow package stores, the city is losing valuable tax revenue to neighboring communities, Trahan said.

According to chamber literature, “The petition is not about encouraging alcohol consumption or changing the character of our city. It is about allowing Murphy voters the opportunity to decide whether those dollars should continue leaving our community or help support local priorities here at home.”

The chamber added that any future business would still be subject to the normal approval process, including City Council review.

Liquor retailers frequently mentioned as potential candidates include Specs, Goody Goody and Total Wine.

Mayor Scott Bradley said the city is not sponsoring the petition drive, but he personally favors the idea.

Police Chief Jeff Gibson said he did not believe package stores would create a public safety problem in Murphy.

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