RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Customers would ask Nancy Smith several times a week if her store sold beer.

Until last week, the manager of the Circle K convenience store on Ohio 306 had to tell them no. Russell Township, you see, was a teetotaling town for decades.

Nobody in the Geauga County community had been allowed to sell alcohol since Prohibition went into effect in 1920, whether it be beer, wine or hard liquor or whether that be sitting at a bar or carrying out a bottle.

"Oh, for God's sake, we had probably five or six people a day asking," said Smith. "I'd say, 'No, but if you go five miles that way . . .' "

On Monday the store became the first to sell beer in this community that some know by the name Novelty. A Budweiser truck rolled in and the driver stocked the five coolers the store set aside for alcohol.

Other brands of beer and hard juices and iced tea had joined the mix by Tuesday, and wine was added Wednesday. A sign reading "Beer and wine now available" is stuck to the store window.

"We're all ready for Super Bowl weekend," Smith beamed.

After Prohibition's repeal in 1933, several businesses had tried to win permission to sell beer in Russell Township. At that time, said Ohio Division of Liquor Control spokesman Matt Mullins, each community was able to decide whether to be wet or dry.

Russell Township voted in 1933 to allow alcohol sales but left it up to residents to decide on individual cases. In 1949, voters turned down alcohol sales requests five times, then again in 1962 and 2000.

Circle K corporate officers decided to try last fall and asked voters to approve two measures, one allowing alcohol sales and one allowing sales on Sundays. Precinct C voters passed the first one 256-197 and the second 249-202. The vote gives alcohol sales approval to Circle K only.

That alcohol is sold in all the townships that border Russell -- which, like all townships, is five miles square -- was a key point for voters on both sides of the issue.

Those who opposed the change declined to identify themselves outside the store this week but said that since alcohol is available nearby, there is no need to have it in their back yard. They worried about underage drinking and noted that a Circle K probably won't carry wines they prefer.

Martha Bryan said she voted to allow the sales.

"You go five miles in any direction to get it anyways, so why not keep the money in Russell?" she said.

Resident Nick Farina also said he voted for the change.

"It's stupid to have to drive to Chesterland or Bainbridge or Newbury to buy a beer," he said. "It's legal, so it just kind of makes sense. Why not run to the corner store instead of making a trip out of it?"

The booze wasn't exactly flying off the shelves at midweek, with many unaware that it was available. Smith expects substantial sales for Browns games.

Vanloads of Amish workers being driven from jobs skipped right over it, as did customers plucking gallon after gallon of milk from the cooler next to the beer.

"I'm excited about it, but it's too early in the day," neighbor Bill Brown joked one afternoon. He said he and friends would be back during Browns season to avoid complaints from friends about having to drive to Chester Township.

Smith said the company added coolers so the store wouldn't have to eliminate other items. This spring or summer, she said, the store will be remodeled to create a walk-in "beer cave" for more selection.

"I understand some people like to keep things nostalgic and not have beer or wine," Smith said. "But times are changing."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: paodonnell@plaind.com, 216-999-4818