GQ: Why are red circles associated with SC liquor stores?

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By NBC Augusta 26 News Staff

Story Published: Sep 15, 2009 at 5:57 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 15, 2009 at 6:35 PM EDT

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.- They are the round colorful signs displayed on the outside of many package shops in South Carolina.

In this addition of “Good Question”, Susan from Richmond County asks why red circles are associated with liquor stores?

NBC Augusta 26 News did some digging and found the circles originated in South Carolina after Prohibition.

Store owners looked for discreet, non-offensive ways to advertise liquor sales without showing alcoholic beverages on them.

A Charleston liquor store owner hired an artist who designed the red circle as a universal symbol for alcohol sales.

It was modeled after the old Lucky Strike cigarette box, which displayed a similar design.

 


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It was modeled after the old Lucky Strike cigarette box, which displayed a similar design.

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The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC Augusta 26 | news, weather, sports, community, entertainment, shopping for Augusta, Georgia. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Friday, Oct 2 at 12:56 PM Me wrote ...

Jack Daniels with Perrier on ice on a quiet Sunday afternoon patio sitting, good, busybody holy roller blue laws, bad.

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Wednesday, Sep 16 at 3:59 PM Pat Taylor wrote ...

I've heard two different reasons for these dots. One, like Meredith Going stated, was for illiterate people who could not read. The second was that the Red dots stood for "Sunup to Sundown", which in the past only liquor stores could be open. I've never seen a liquor store open at 6 AM or 9 PM at night.

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Tuesday, Sep 15 at 8:51 PM Meredith Going wrote ...

I ran an ABC store for 5 years. I heard from many people in the business that the "Red Dots" were used to advertise to the mostly illiterate that here was a store that sold liquor.

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