MURRAY, Ky.--The sale of packaged alcohol in Murray, Kentucky kicked off months earlier than expected, abruptly came to an end, and today they started up again.

On Friday three stores got a surprise from the state; an early notice their license to sell beer was approved. 

One store immediately started selling, but little did they know, every bottle of booze bought was an illegal sale.  

Customers keep coming into the Fivestar Foodmart on Coldwater Road in Murray, also known as 'five points.' They are not just coming for gas.  In fact most of the people, like Barry Sharp plan on spending less for fuel.

"Don't have to drive fifteen minutes south anymore," Sharp said as he purchased a six pack of Dos Equis.

Now beer is closer than ever.

"This is like revolutionary for Murray, it's great to be a part of that," Sharp said.

Imagine being a part of the profit made today.

"I think it'll bring a lot of revenue," Sharp said.

Fivestar will have to make 37-hundred dollars before they pocket any profit.  They were the first to sell, but also the first, and so far, only business fined.

"Either you're going to follow the rules that everyone else follows or you're going to pay the fine for it,"  Murray Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator Kendra Clere said.

She told Local 6 the store got the go ahead from the state on Friday but started selling before purchasing the 200 dollar city beer license.

"They had already made 19 transactions prior to me getting down there, which is 19 violations of city ordinances," Clere said.

Clere hopes to send a message, now that alcohol is on shelves in Murray, it should not only be enjoyed responsibly, it should be sold responsibly, too.

Clere told Local 6 the Fivestar at five points will have lots of competition as early as tomorrow morning.  Two other stores, the Rite Aid and Max Fuel on 641 North have the licenses they need.

Practically all the other stores in Murray have applied for a beer license.  The owner of Mack's Beer Store in Puryear, Tennessee, just 9 miles South of Murray.  The owner said on Monday his customer flow was about the same, but he knows it won't stay that way as word gets out.  He's considering closing that store and retiring.

As for liquor stores and bars; there are eight liquor licenses and seven tavern licenses. 
Many people have applied but the state has yet to award those.   Clere said it could be up to two more weeks before those are awarded.