Mecklenburg County ABC Board Revenue and Competitors

North Carolina took a thoughtful look at how alcohol should be handled after the repeal of prohibition back in the 1930’s. Realizing that a total ban was ineffective and in fact dangerous, the state Legislature voted in 1937 to return alcohol sales back to North Carolina. Currently one of eighteen states and two counties in Maryland who have a control system, North Carolina gave locals jurisdictions a vote option for alcohol (including which types) to be sold in their area. In North Carolina, spirits are only sold in ABC stores and the only thing sold in them. Beer and wine are available at grocery stores and other specialty or convenience stores. Some counties voted to establish an ABC system; others were established at the city or municipality level. That’s why were called the Mecklenburg County ABC Board—we operate our system within Mecklenburg County