Could ABC Stores Go Private?

State officials are currently looking into how ABC stores are run to see whether the system needs to be tweaked or overhauled. Government officials could consider privatizing ABC stores across the state. Gov. Bev Perdue says she expects recommendations within weeks from her Budget Reform and Accountability Commission on the details of their probe into ABC stores.

Some local board members say their concern is that if the state's overhaul includes privatizing ABC stores, then they would be giving up too much control of state liquor sales. They say the current state-run system has kept liquor sales in North Carolina efficient and effective. He says it also should not be overlooked that ABC boards are able to give back to the community.

A 2008 report by the state's program evaluation division suggests that at the very least, North Carolina's ABC system needs updating. It says the mission of local boards is currently not clearly defined, and that the state should consider changing its ABC system to one found in other states, which includes the option of private sales. This decision will likely need to be made by the legislature as to how to control, or give up control, of the over 400 ABC stores throughout the state.