About ABC

Vision

To enhance the quality of life for Virginia's citizens by balancing service, revenue and control in the distribution, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Mission

To control the distribution of alcoholic beverages; operate efficient, conveniently located retail outlets; enforce the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to alcoholic beverages and youth access to tobacco products; and provide excellent customer service, a reliable source of revenue, and effective public safety.

Control

Law Enforcement

ABC works to ensure that adults of legal age who choose to responsibly consume alcohol can do so in a safe environment - one that operates in compliance with the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.

ABC special agents have full police powers with a diverse range of duties - from investigating license applicants and conducting underage sale compliance checks, to enforcing criminal and ABC laws in more than 15,000 licensed establishments. Criminal activities ranging from drugs and gambling to money laundering and tax evasion are investigated and prosecuted through the court system.

ABC special agents also participate in state, local and federal investigations involving crimes such as illegal liquor manufacture and distribution, cigarette smuggling, drug distribution and more.

Education and Prevention

ABC continues to lead the Commonwealth in alcohol prevention and community education initiatives. Dedicated to decreasing the illegal use of alcohol, ABC promotes responsible distribution of alcoholic beverages by licensees, responsible consumption by those of legal age and zero tolerance for underage consumption.

ABC offers training and materials for use by licensees and various agencies and communities around the Commonwealth. In addition, the agency provides thousands of dollars in grant funding to enhance community coalitions and programs at colleges and universities throughout Virginia.

Administrative Hearings

ABC violations investigated by special agents are reported to the Hearings and Appeals Division to be scheduled for an administrative hearing. Opposing sides introduce evidence in support of their case before an administrative law judge who issues a decision after weighing the evidence presented. Administrative hearings can result in dismissal, fines, suspension or revocation of a license.

Service

With approximately 330 stores in convenient locations throughout the Commonwealth, ABC is dedicated to providing legal-aged adults with an enjoyable, modern shopping environment. ABC offers a wide selection of merchandise with more than 2,000 items on the regular Price List and an additional 250 items available through the Special Order Catalog.

Considerable planning is involved in determining locations for new stores to ensure optimum customer service and profitability for the Commonwealth. Market plans, management reports, and operational and real estate location studies are utilized in the decision-making process.

Revenue

As a major source of revenue for the Commonwealth, ABC has contributed more than $1.5 billion to Virginia's General Fund in the last five years, and more than $6 billion to the General Fund since the first ABC stores opened in 1934. Measures of success as ABC completed Fiscal Year 2009 include a record $665.6 million in annual gross sales. ABC remains committed to measuring our success in balancing control, service and revenue, and providing excellence and accountability to the citizens of Virginia.