By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Well, Effingham County is no longer dry.

Bhagyesh “Billy” Patel is the new tenant of the revamped Local on Laurel, which is now known as Local on Laurel Spirits. The store is located at 606 N. Laurel St., Springfield.

The store officially opened at 9 a.m. on March 23. James Carlson, owner of the Local on Laurel building, made the first legal purchase of liquor in Effingham County – a bottle of difficult-to-get Blanton Bourbon from Kentucky.

The first-ever liquor store in Effingham County is possible due to the passage of a citywide referendum 56% to 39% to allow package sale of liquor in a special called election in May 2022. Two other referenda were passed in that election to allow Sunday sales of packaged beer and wine; and to allow restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays.

Until now, Effingham residents had to travel to Chatham or other counties that have packaged liquor sales. Beer, wine, and drink mixes are available at local retailers, but not hard liquor.

“We are so excited for our friend, Bhagyesh Patel, on opening the first ever liquor store at 606 N. Laurel St., in Springfield,” James Carlson posted on Facebook. “Effingham County has been known as a dry county and we are so excited to help him conquer what everyone thought was impossible. I purchased the first bottle of liquor – Blanton’s Bourbon – ever legally sold in Effingham County. And, yes, I will still be at church on Sunday!