About Us

Did you know?

• The first retail sales by the Lexington ABC Board was January 14, 1972.
• The ABC Board currently operates stores with full and part-time employees.
• In North Carolina, a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of .08% is all that is necessary to be convicted of Driving While Impaired (DWI).
• There are board members appointed by the Lexington Board of Commissioners.
• Lexington ABC Board has been serving the community since its establishment.

Please read on to learn more about the Lexington ABC Board's history and how the sale of spirits is managed and enforced across the county.

In 1937, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) bill that:

• Allowed voters in each county to determine whether or not spirituous liquor should be sold at retail through the operation of a local ABC Board and its retail stores; and
• Established a North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission to have oversight authority with respect to each local ABC Board.

Following state legislation, local voters decided to allow the sale of alcohol in Lexington. Today's hard-working employees are found in warehousing, store operations and law enforcement – all serving Lexington residents and visitors who choose to purchase spirits.

Currently one of 17 states and jurisdictions in Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota, and South Dakota with some form of the "Control" model, North Carolina gave local 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 spirits are all an ABC store can sell. Beer and wine are available at grocery stores and other specialty or convenience stores. While some counties voted to establish an ABC system, others were established at the city or municipal level.

ABC Boards in North Carolina are local, independent political subdivisions of the State. Boards operate as separate entities, establishing their own policies and procedures. They retain authority to set policy and adopt rules in conformity with ABC laws and North Carolina ABC Commission rules.

The North Carolina ABC Commission is an independent agency housed in the NC Department of Public Safety with a direct report to the Governor's Office. The Commission provides uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state.

The Lexington ABC Board operates solely on the revenue derived from spirit sales in Lexington. There is no property, state or other local tax used to support ABC operations.

The Lexington ABC Board does much more that sell spirits! North Carolina law requires the Lexington ABC Board to distribute a percentage of its gross profits before distribution:

• No less than 5% for law enforcement services; and
• No less than 7% for alcohol and/or substance abuse (substance use disorder) education, prevention, treatment, and/or research.

Money is then set aside as cash to operate the system. The balance of net profits is then distributed according to a schedule established by local voters.

The Lexington ABC Board provides support for community programs and services that focus on alcohol and/or substance abuse education, prevention, treatment, and/or research.

Rich in history and looking to the future, the Lexington ABC Board is here to serve county residents and visitors, making health, well-being and safety a priority for all.

Visit our store locations to find us, review our policies and FAQs, or explore educational resources on alcohol laws and responsible consumption.