Nash County ABC History

The Nash County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board of was authorized by Chapter 493, 1935 – Pasquotank Act authorized by 1937 Act.  The referendum held June 6, 1935 with a vote of the citizens of Nash County.  The election to begin a county ABC Board produced 2,870 citizens voting for and 963 voting against.  The election was the culmination of Prohibition ending and the State approving a control system with the Nash County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board being formed on July 8, 1935.  The first Board consisted of C.C. Cockrell as Chairman, W.W. Ricks as Vice-Chairman, and M.J. Morgan as secretary.  Stores locations were approved to go in Rocky Mount, Nashville, Spring Hope, Middlesex, and Bailey.

 The commission felt if the 1937 legislature adopted a control system the counties voting to establish stores would be able to control and regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages better under a monopoly system.  The commission felt the monopoly system nearly removed liquor control from politics and emphasized the welfare of society rather than revenue or profits.  The profits from the Nash County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board are appropriated for alcohol and substance abuse education, rehabilitation, and research; law enforcement; Nash County Government; local municipalities and working capital for growth projects. 

In 1937 the commission submitted an ABC bill to the General Assembly and it passed with some modification.  The bill allowed for the establishment of a local ABC store, hence a Board, in each county voting in favor of liquor sales.  Some counties are dry with local municipalities voting to establish an ABC store.  County or Municipal ABC Boards are local independent political subdivisions of the State.  They operate as local government entities establishing their own policies and procedures within the guidelines of ABC laws and State ABC Commission rules.  The net profits are divided up with 25% of the store profits going to the towns where stores are located and 75% going to Nash County’s general fund. 

In May, 1985, mixed beverages were passed in the city of Rocky Mount by a vote of 6,512 citizens voting for and 5,555 voting against authorizing the sales of liquor by the drink.

 The Nash County ABC Board was expanded from 3 members to 5 members in 1992.     The Nash County ABC Board currently operates 9 retail stores and 1 warehouse.  The office is located at 1206 Eastern Ave., Nashville, NC.