The Moore County ABC Commission marked the opening of its new retail store, warehouse, and administrative offices Thursday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public tours of the facility.
Spirits were high as community members gathered at 9 a.m. April 23 to celebrate the grand opening and shop inside the new store. Visitors also had a rare opportunity to tour the warehouse portion of the building, an area that is normally restricted to authorized personnel.
In a speech given prior to the ribbon being cut, board Chair Michael Kantorowski said the new building represents a “major step forward” for the local ABC system and could serve as a showcase within the state network.
“We’re part of the state ABC system, and so we think it’s really going to be a flagship property for them to come and see,” Kantorowski said.
The new complex includes a retail store, administrative offices, and a 10,000-square-foot warehouse. The commission invited visitors to explore the entire facility during Thursday’s opening event, including the warehouse area.
“This is the only time the public will be able to go through the warehouse,” Kantorowski noted. “You have to be bonded normally to go into an ABC warehouse, but we want you all to see what we’ve got.”
The retail area features row after neatly arranged row of products in addition to coolers, cabinets, displays, and even a large model plane as an homage to the nearby Moore County Airport and the aviation themes of surrounding businesses.
Construction took about eight months and cost roughly $6.5 million, a figure Kantorowski said covered the land, construction, fixtures, furniture, and initial inventory.
“The one thing with the facility is it was all built using ABC profits,” Kantorowski said. “None of this money for this construction was built with taxpayer funds.”
He said the commission worked for several years to set aside the funds needed for construction with support from county commissioners.
“So this property and the building belong to the people of the state of North Carolina and of Moore County,” Kantorowski said, “and that’s also something to be proud of.”
Beyond retail sales, Kantorowski said the ABC system plays a role in funding local programs and services. By law, a portion of revenue supports law enforcement, education, and alcohol education or treatment programs.
During the last fiscal year, the Moore County ABC system provided more than $177,000 to law enforcement and more than $213,000 combined for scholarships and grants to nonprofits focused on alcohol education and rehabilitation, according to Kantorowski.
In total, more than $844,000 in profits was returned directly to county and municipal governments last year. Overall statutory distributions exceeded $1.2 million, he said.
“That’s cash money that came back into the county,” Kantorowski said.
Ready to check out the shiny new state-of-the-art shop for yourself? The new ABC store is located at 420 Capital Drive, Southern Pines, in the plaza next to Sandhills Community College.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article, video, and photos by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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