Twenty-three establishments in Saline County and three in Columbia County can legally sell beer and wine today after their permits were approved by the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Wednesday.
Both counties became wet after the November election, and Wednesday's permits were the first batch to be approved.
Liquor stores in the two counties could have permits issued "no later than August," said Michael Langley, director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration Division. Announcements that applications for liquor sales permits will be accepted will start in March, followed by a 60-day period to receive applications and a 30-day period of inspection.
The state agency will allow 21 liquor stores in Saline County and four in Columbia County.
"There are 21 spots in Saline currently that aren't within 1,000 feet of a school or church," Langley told the board.
With the addition of Saline and Columbia counties, Arkansas now has 40 wet counties.
Originally, 32 retailers in Saline County and five in Columbia County applied for a beer or wine sales permit. Langley said a city alderman objected to one in Columbia County, and it will be moved to administrative review. He didn't explain why the other applications weren't granted.
Metro on 01/22/2015