The North Carolina House has just introduced a new bill that would allow private retailers to sell liquor throughout our state.
House Bill 971, or the “Modern Licensure Model for Alcohol Control” bill would essentially eradicate the state’s ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) division, along with all government-run stores across our state.
North Carolina currently has 500 government-owned ABC stores throughout the state. By some estimates, the number of privately-owned stores selling liquor could triple if the bill passes.
The bill does stipulate that any new liquor store would have to be 500 yards or more from the nearest competing liquor stores, but businesses can be grandfathered in if they held a wine permit before July of 2020.
The new bill would also allow liquor sales on Sunday if local municipalities vote to allow it.
What do you think about the new bill?