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ASHEBORO - Voters said yes to the sale of alcohol Tuesday in what has long been the state's largest dry municipality.

As the results of the referendum came in over the Internet, a cheering crowd overflowed from the Sunset Avenue office of the pro-alcohol Citizens for the Future of Asheboro.

Steve Schmidly, the group's co-chairman, climbed on top of a chair to sum up the feeling of his group at the end of the hard-fought battle.

"The future is now!" Schmidly yelled as supporters hugged one another, lit cigars and ran down the sidewalks cheering. Schmidly, who was celebrating his 59th birthday Tuesday, said he couldn't have asked for a better present.

According to the Randolph County Board of Elections 6,644 residents - or 54 percent of all registered voters - cast ballots in the referendum.

Sixty percent approved the sale of malt beverages, 61 percent approved the sale of unfortified wine, 62 percent approved the sale of mixed-drinks and 59 percent approved ABC stores within the city limits, according to complete but unofficial results Tuesday night.

"I just never thought I would see this in this town in my lifetime," said Crystal Garrison, 48. "And tonight it not only passed, but it passed big."

On the other end of Sunset Avenue, the crowd was decidedly less upbeat. Opponents of the referendum gathered in the fellowship hall at the First Baptist Church, a major contributor to the anti-alcohol Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Asheboro.

James Dewey, 58, walked away from the church with tears in his eyes.

"I just don't know how this could have happened in this town," Dewey said. "I think it's a disgusting thing and this town is just never going to recover once the changes happen."

Legalizing alcoholic beverages has long been a battle in Asheboro. Voters have said no to legalization every decade since 1965.

Fearing potential violence Tuesday, election officials chose to announce the results over the Internet instead of from the courthouse. But as of late Tuesday, nothing more serious than celebratory car-horns outside the pro-alcohol office had been reported.

After a hard-fought campaign season, some people were just ready for it to be over. Shorty Hines, 75, wore a T-shirt Tuesday that read: "I am glad it's over" on the front and "Who won?" on the back.

Schmidly's committee, including 43 community and business leaders, ranging from CEOs to City Council members, is largely credited with turning the tide. They argued that Asheboro's alcohol ban stifles the economy and prevents upscale restaurants, hotels and other businesses from locating there.

A throng of residents in shorts and "Vote For" T-shirts cheered as Schmidly told them it was their belief in the cause that made the victory possible.

"We have proven what a group of folks can do when they come together and decide to make a difference in their community," Schmidly told the crowd.

Inside First Baptist Church, the Rev. John Rogers told gathered supporters that the battle may be over, but not the war.

Rogers said Christians in the area should work for strict zoning laws for businesses that serve alcohol and attempt to put church members on the new ABC board. "Someone who won't be afraid to give the Christian perspective," Rogers said.

Although his group didn't win the fight, Rogers said it brought the Christian community closer together. They should use that to bring the city back together now, he said.

"If there's going to be reconciliation in this community, it's not going to come from non-Christians," Rogers said. "It will have to come from the people of God."

Schmidly, too, focused on reconciliation in a speech to his group's supporters. He said the anti-alcohol opposition believed they had the city's best interests at heart as well and should be congratulated for their efforts.

"We have an opportunity to come together now and make this community everything it can be," Schmidly said to applause.

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, Ext. 228, or joe.killian@news-record.com