By a vote of 222 to 180, the voters in Clarks Grove passed a law making liquor sales legal Nov. 5, and James Jensen sighed with relief.

He’d bought a building on the corner of Highway 45 and Main Street with hopes of turning it into a bar.

After lobbying strongly for the liquor law by going door to door and handing out fliers encouraging its passage, Jensen got his wish. Early this month, he opened the doors of his bar and restaurant, The Bulldog.

&uot;I’d bought the building last year,&uot; Jensen said. He put himself in a position where if the law wasn’t passed, he didn’t think he’d go through with a business. &uot;I wanted to open a bar. I thought maybe I’d serve food if the law didn’t pass, but basically I just took a chance on having it pass.&uot;

According to Clarks Grove City Councilman Bill May, the issue has been brought up in the past.

&uot;Over the last 10 to 15 years it was voted on twice,&uot; he said. &uot;Both times it was voted down.&uot;

&uot;This last time it won. It wasn’t by a landslide, but was a majority,&uot; May said.

In the time leading up to the election, both Jensen’s fliers as well as those of a group against giving out liquor licenses were spread throughout the city. The other fliers against becoming a &uot;wet&uot; town were not signed.

Jensen is glad to have the vote behind him and is ready to pursue his business. Three weeks in, he says the Bulldog is doing well.

&uot;So far the weekends have been standing-room only,&uot; he said. &uot;But our lunches get pretty packed as well.&uot;

The establishment serves drinks but also has full food service.

&uot;I’d say our business is divided about 50-50 between food and drinks,&uot;Jensen said.

He added that it isn’t a dark, dingy place, like many who opposed the liquor ban lift said it would be.

&uot;It’s just a place to come and meet your neighbor,&uot; Jensen said.