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August 30, 2023
News Release Contact:Virginia ABC Communications - (804) 213-4413 Email: pubrel@virginiaABC.com Virginia ABC Adjusting Store HoursAll stores to close at 6 p.m. on Labor Day The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) will adjust its store hours effective September 1. Virginia ABC reviews store hours annually as part of its budget process. The decision on closing times is driven by an analysis of store sales during the last two hours of the day.
These changes to retail store hours are part of the authority’s focus on efficiency opportunities while maintaining customer service as a top priority. Customers can visit Virginia ABC’s website at http://www.abc.virginia.gov to search for stores, determine the availability of products at any retail location and order spirits online for in-store or curbside pickup or home delivery in select areas. Virginia ABC encourages customers to make mindful choices about alcohol during all of life’s celebrations. Resources are available at https://www.abc.virginia.gov/sip-responsibly. News Release Contact:Virginia ABC Communications - (804) 213-4413
Email: pubrel@VirginiaABC.com Virginia ABC’s Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue IncreasesThe Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) released its unaudited financial results for fiscal year (FY) 2023 after the ABC Board of Directors adopted a revised FY2024 budget. Fiscal Year 2024 Budget In actions taken Tuesday, the Board adopted an amended budget that projects profits from retail sales of $244.3 million, a $23.7 million increase over FY2023 results. The adopted budget forecasts a 5.1% growth in revenue while focusing on investing in ABC teammates, maintaining core business systems and continuing to enhance regulatory services to ABC licensees. “The ABC Board met and unanimously approved a new FY2024 budget for ABC that will deliver $244.3 million to the general fund of the Commonwealth,” said ABC Chairman Tim Hugo. “This result was thanks to the collaborative efforts of ABC’s executive leadership team working with the Governor’s administration. This revised budget will strengthen ABC and serve our Commonwealth.” The Board also adopted its five-year forecast that will be used to inform the upcoming biennial budget submission. As part of that forecast, the Authority will continue to focus on growing revenues while controlling costs and enhancing its service to licensees. Fiscal Year 2023 Results FY 2023 results show gross revenue of $1.5 billion, up $54.3 million over FY 2022. ABC revenues include the sale of distilled spirits, Virginia wines and mixers and the collection of license fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Each year, per the Code of Virginia, Virginia ABC remits earnings to the commonwealth for designated state programs and services. For FY 2023, ABC contributed a total of $609.7 million, an increase of $2 million over the previous year, excluding a one-time net gain of $15.1 million in FY 2022 from the sale of ABC’s old corporate headquarters and warehouse. This reflects $220.6 million in profits from retail sales, $307.7 million in taxes (retail) and $81.4 million collected in wine and beer taxes. ”Virginia ABC continues to focus on its mission of strengthening the Commonwealth through public safety, education and revenue from the responsible regulation and sale of alcoholic beverages,” said CEO Travis Hill. Providing these essential services to all Virginians is only possible thanks to our dedicated workforce and their tireless commitment to service.” Sales trends Overall sales revenue for the authority in FY2023 grew by $54.3 million to $1.472 billion. Total sales volume grew from 6.32 million cases to 6.46 million cases. Throughout the year, sales rose on each day of the week, except for Thursdays. Sunday sales increased by $3.4 million to $102.3 million. Saturday led all days, with $280.4 million of sales. Sales to licensees increased by $20.9 million to $250.4 million, indicating the continued strength of Virginia’s hospitality industry. Sales to retail customers also increased by $44.6 million, to $1.18 billion. Online sales totaled $8.8 million. Virginia ABC has transferred over $900 million in profits to the Commonwealth in the last four years, exceeding its profit transfer requirement – an amount set in the Commonwealth’s biennial budget that is adopted by the Virginia General Assembly – in each of those years. The authority has contributed $77.6 million above that requirement during that period. Virginia ABC’s final, audited results will be released in the fall. For more information about ABC’s sales and revenue, visit www.abc.virginia.gov. ### The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing nearly $2.9 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Profits from in-store and online retail sales provide funding for designated state programs and services. Virginia ABC currently operates 399 state stores and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees nearly 21,000 ABC licensed establishments. Now marking its 89th year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia. by: Tyler Englander - WRIC
Updated: Aug 17, 2023 / 06:37 AM EDT $550K stolen from Va. ABC stores so far in 2023 RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Liquor thieves are targeting Virginia ABC stores in large numbers. Data obtained by 8News shows there were 2,881 shoplifting incidents at ABC stores from January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. Over 9,700 bottles of alcohol were stolen with a total value of $551,662. “Retail shrink is a growing national issue and Virginia ABC sadly is not immune to that problem.” Virginia ABC Public Relations Specialist Pat Kane said. Less than a month ago, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards told reporters that shoplifting at ABC stores was contributing to a rise in crime in Virginia’s capital city. “ABC stores, for whatever reason, are being targeted and thieves are walking in and just walking out,” Edwards said. One store in Portsmouth was robbed 116 times, losing over $21,000 in liquor. Meanwhile, in Williamsburg, a thief made out with a bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac worth $4,699.99. Kane says, as a result, security changes are being made. “Another item that we are doing is really looking on a store-by-store basis, what are those top stolen, top pilfered items and can we move them within the store to make them less visible to thieves, to reduce the inventory of those specific items,” Kane said. Despite the high number of thefts, ABC has no plans to lock up valuable products. “This is a balancing act that all retailers are looking at, which is how do you make the store open, friendly, a positive shopping experience versus how you reduce those theft opportunities,” Kane said. “Locking up products is part of that discussion, but we are not moving in that direction at this specific time.” It’s important to note that these statistics only include thefts by the public. ABC says it doesn’t keep track of employee thefts.
Author: Matt Pusatory (WUSA9) Published: 2:20 PM EDT August 16, 2023
Updated: 2:20 PM EDT August 16, 2023 Here are some of the biggest changes to the lottery system.
RICHMOND, Va. — If you're a connoisseur of fine liquors and spirits in the Commonwealth, chances are you have heard of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority's online lotteries. Throughout the year, Virginia ABC offers special releases of products, including highly sought bourbons, whiskeys and other small-batch spirits offerings, for purchase by lottery. Some big changes are coming to the lottery process.
To enter a lottery, an entry form is available online for a period of at least three days. Odds depend on the number of entries received and the number of bottles available. At the close of the lottery period, Virginia ABC uses a random drawing process to select the winning entries for each product code offered in the lottery. The next lottery is being held Aug. 21-25. Here are the changes taking effect:
The next lottery is for 72 bottles of Reservoir Hazmat Rye Whiskey. Winners and non-winners will be notified on Sept. 1. The Tidewater News - August 14, 2023
Up to about 1891, Franklin was a typical “wet” town. Going back in time to the mid 1830s, when Franklin was first established as a village, liquor manufacture, distribution and consumption was not controlled. However, starting in the latter part of the 1800s, it was controlled to some extent through Southampton County licensing of establishments. In 1891, though, the citizens of Franklin, led by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and the churches, petitioned Judge Barrett of the Southampton County Court to refuse liquor licenses for Franklin, which petition was granted. As a “no-liquor” town, Franklin was a failure and it returned to its previous ways — blatant production, distribution, and consumption. Liquor was being brought in weekly by the buckboard-load and every known “wet person” knew where in town he could get all the liquor he wanted. In 1892, after the no-license system had been in effect for a year, a local option election was held — whether to re-establish licensing of alcohol. The “wets” won by one vote. A prominent worker for the “dry” cause was Rev. C. C. Werenbaker, pastor of the Methodist Church; but he, having failed to register, could not vote. Had he been in a position to vote, there would have been a tie; and it was generally thought that Judge Barrett would have decided in favor of the “dry” element. Illogically, though, had the “drys” won, alcohol production and use, would have still existed – but illegally! So, local licensing of establishments to legally dispense alcohol was reinstituted and this system was in place right up to the early 1900s. Around about that time, the Commonwealth of Virginia, following the lead of other states, especially South Carolina, decided to consider STATE-controlled liquor STORES. So, for the first time the Commonwealth of Virginia got involved with the liquor business. And, for whatever reason, Franklin was chosen as the first Virginia location, in 1902, of what was called a dispensary. It was located in a building on First Avenue, right next to the alley that ran behind the stores that faced Main Street. Later, the dispensary building was used for other purposes – including William Branch’s first shoe repair store. The Franklin Dispensary was managed by three commissioners, some of Franklin’s most prominent and best citizens: Cecil C. Vaughan Sr., R. S. Fagan, and John C. Parker Sr. Mr. Fagan was designated as the purchasing agent for the dispensary. The profits from liquor sales were divided as follows: three-eighths to the Town of Franklin, three-eighths to the District, and two-eighths to the State. From the profits received by the town were built concrete sidewalks on Main, High and Clay streets and First, Second and Fourth avenues. Some of the residents were at first loath to use the sidewalks, claiming they had been built with “blood money”. And, the fine and grand Franklin Elementary School, built in 1905 and located at 516 West Second Avenue, was made possible through funds derived from the dispensary. Many people were especially upset by the fact that the education of the town’s children was being accomplished through the sale of evil spirits. All along, the Southampton County WCTU was vehemently opposed to and disdained alcohol in general; and, in particular, the presence of the liquor dispensary in the community. The public outcry against any official town connection with alcohol became so great that, in 1907, the Franklin Dispensary authorization was abolished. Franklin was the first town in the state to have a state-controlled liquor store and was the first town to abolish it. After the abolishment, there was very little control of alcohol, at any level, for many years. All the foregoing, of course, was much before the national institution of prohibition. The 18th Amendment of the United States Constitution (to establish prohibition), as of Jan. 16, 1919, was ratified by two-thirds of the states and was effective Jan. 17, 1920. However, actual enforcement of the legislation was slow in coming about. In some cases, for an extended period of time, enforcement was non-existent in some areas of the country. Although prohibition was established and was supported by many people, in actuality, millions of Americans were STILL drinking alcoholic beverages. Because the law did not specifically outlaw consumption, many people stockpiled alcohol and figured out ways to obtain it. This gave rise to bootlegging (illegal production, sale, and distribution) and “speakeasies” (illegal and secret drinking establishments) which were capitalized upon by organized crime. Gangsterism and turf battles between criminal gangs were prevalent. In the long run, it became obvious that prohibition had caused far more problems than it had solved. Of much concern, was the increase in criminal activity, public corruption, and, in general, a prevalent casual disregard of law. An organization called “Women’s Organization for National Prohibition Reform” was at the forefront of the movement to REPEAL the prohibition law. As of Dec. 5, 1933, the 21st amendment (to repeal prohibition) of the United States Constitution was ratified by two-thirds of the states — which automatically and officially repealed the 18th amendment of the United States Constitution (the establishment of prohibition). Virginia Governor John Pollard called the General Assembly into special session — to legalize 3.2 % alcoholic beverages. On March 22, 1934, the Virginia General Assembly voted to adopt a liquor control plan – and created the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. And, even though the Virginia ABC system was establishing stores in communities across the state, Franklin did not have an ABC store until 1950; before that, people from this area had to go to Suffolk to purchase legal liquor. CLYDE PARKER is a retired human resources manager for the former Franklin Equipment Co. and a member of the Southampton County Historical Society. His email address is magnolia101@charter.net. |
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