Currituck at odds with ABC over store move

MOYOCK, N.C.

The local ABC Board plans to ignore objections from the Currituck County Board of Commissioners and use most of the surging liquor sale profits to buy a $1 million building in Moyock.

In a concession to commissioners, 25 percent of annual profits - about $150,000 - will be set aside for a county project chosen by the ABC Board, according to an ABC Board resolution passed Wednesday.

Still, the county would lose about $400,000 a year until the new Moyock building is paid for in about three years.

"There is no immediate need to spend that kind of money for that purpose in this economy," said Currituck Commissioner Barry Nelms.

In an August meeting, the two boards debated who should get the bulk of the liquor profits. Commissioners agreed with earlier plans to renovate the current Moyock building for $300,000 but objected to the ABC board's new plans to buy another building.

In recent years, commissioners agreed with new buildings in Grandy and Corolla, said Commissioner Paul O'Neal. But in Moyock, renovations were enough, he said.

"The board looked at it like this: Do we want a shiny new ABC store or a new facility like a recreation center for the public," O'Neal said.

Backed by the North Carolina ABC Commission, however, the local ABC board won out.

But commissioners appoint members to the ABC Board and could make changes.

"I think it's imminent that will happen," Nelms said.

A Grandy restaurant owner, Nelms had disagreements with local ABC supervisor David Collins over returns and filling out order forms, said Collins, who was hired by the ABC Board.

"I am concerned with the political ramifications," Collins said. "He is using his position to grind this ax."

The ABC Board plans to buy the vacant Carquest building in Moyock for $1 million and spend approximately $300,000 in renovations. Once complete, the facility will look similar to the county welcome center next door, Collins said.

Nelms also objects to the location, which is few hundred feet north of the current facility.

"I'm in the liquor selling business, but that's not the right place for that store," he said. "Welcome to Currituck County and have a drink on us. That's not the right message."

New stores typically earn more profits. In the long run, the county will benefit from a new store in Moyock, Collins said. The new Grandy store earned nearly $1 million its first year, 16 percent above the profits of the older store, Collins said.

From July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, Currituck liquor sales at three ABC stores - Moyock, Grandy and Corolla - were $3.8 million. Minus expenses and taxes, profits totaled $604,413, up from $425,462 in 2007 and $393,681 in 2006.

After mandatory contributions to law enforcement and alcohol education, the ABC Board earned $544,970 in 2008 profits that went toward paying off the Grandy building.

The ABC board is awaiting approval from the state to buy the Carquest building, Collins said. Two vacant seats on the three-member state commission could be filled this week by Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Once seated, the commission is expected to approve the Moyock site quickly, Collins said.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com