Red Dot Store, Hampton, S.C.
Sometimes I forget that every state doesn't use Red Dots to identify liquor stores. It's one of those quirky and colorful South Carolina things that I love so much and this is the best explanation I could find:
Why is there a red dot on South Carolina liquor stores?
It is believed to have its origin in the South Carolina Constitution of 1895, article 8, section 11, which prohibited alcohol sales between sundown and sun-up. The red ball designates the sun and identifies the store as one that sells alcohol. The State newspaper, 10/03/1984, gave the following theory:
In the 1940s, the state was forcing liquor stores to shrink their signs dramatically, so as not to advertise alcohol too blatantly. Stores were allowed to use lettering only a few inches high on doors or windows. A Charleston liquor store "highlighted" the tiny lettering with a dramatic red dot, and everyone else followed suit.
Bonus joke courtesy of
Phil's Phun.
A man ran through a crowded train looking very agitated, calling out, "Is there a Catholic priest on board?"
When he got no reply, he ran back up the train shouting, "Is there an Anglican priest on board?"
Still no reply.
By now becoming more desperate, he ran down the train shouting, "Is there a Rabbi on board?"
Eventually, a gentleman stood up and said, "Can I be of any assistance, my friend? I'm a Methodist minister."
The man looked at him and said,
"No, you're no bloody good. I need a corkscrew!"
