SHERWOOD, Ark. — Petitioners seeking to allow alcohol on the north side of Sherwood now have a little over a month left to reach their signature goal, which would put the issue on the November ballot.
In Sherwood, businesses north of Maryland Avenue can't sell alcohol, while the rest of the city can.
This is because in 1956, an area called Gray Township voted not to have alcohol—and that area has since been annexed as north Sherwood.
"Our city is literally divided in half,” said Monica Treat, a volunteer for the group. “Major retailers intentionally developed on the south side of this line so they could sell beer and wine."
Residents and even city officials said it creates an imbalance between north Sherwood and the rest of the city.
Because you can't sell alcohol, grocery stores and other retailers don't want to come to the area, hindering the economy for everyone.
"A grocery store is an anchor,” said Tom Brooks, who supports the petition. "An anchor brings other things, like restaurants, shoe stores, hair salons and numerous others."
That's why organizers have been getting signatures for their "Act 4 Sherwood" petition.
If around 3,800 north Sherwood residents sign the petition by Sept. 2, the issue of allowing alcohol will go onto the November ballot.
Petitioners hope it'll improve the area.
"You are going to see [a] commercial property that's available everywhere, and it's vacant,” Treat said of the current situation north of Maryland. “This is why... because people don't travel out there during the daytime, because there's nothing to draw them to that area."
But would a big-box store actually come to north Sherwood if the change passes?
Organizers said they're hopeful.
"There's been several grocery stores interested," Brooks said. "They've contacted the people in Sherwood who make those decisions. They've actually bought land in this general area."
However, they still have some work to do—a city official told us Friday that the petition still needs 587 signatures to reach its goal.
The City of Sherwood also sent us a statement supporting the petition for many of the same reasons as the organizers.
“The City of Sherwood supports the community-led petition, Act 4 Sherwood,” the city said. “The city has worked diligently to make this possible by securing the necessary legislation. We believe this initiative will positively impact our community by attracting new businesses and fostering economic development.”