News Release

February 25, 2009
News Release Contacts:
Philip Bogenberger - (804) 219-2022
Kathleen Shaw - (804) 213-4640
E-mail: pubrel@abc.virginia.gov

ABC Commemorates 75 Years of Control, Service and Revenue

On March 7th, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) turns 75. In October 1933, Virginians voted to ratify the 21st Amendment calling for a repeal of Prohibition and the implementation of a "liquor control" plan; ABC was established five months later. Virginia is currently one of 18 "control states" where government actively participates in the alcohol distribution chain.

Just as people's views on liquor were widely divergent and often inflammatory 75 years ago, the alcohol beverage industry remains a business subject to higher legal and social accountability than almost any other industry. Virginia ABC's three-pronged mission of "control, service and revenue" addresses the unique challenges inherent in the alcohol beverage industry.

The control arm includes approximately 130 ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement special agents, with full police powers, who oversee 15,000+ establishments licensed to sell alcohol and conduct investigations involving: underage sales, alcohol-related fatalities, narcotics trafficking, vice, tax fraud and more. ABC also provides a diverse array of education and prevention programs.

The service and revenue arms of the mission encompass the operation of 330+ efficient, conveniently located retail stores. ABC contributed over $1.25 billion to the commonwealth in the last five years and is continually evaluating ways to maximize revenue and streamline operations. Recent improvements include increasing the use of automation in the warehouse and using geographic information system technology to identify and prioritize areas that warrant additional stores. Of particular pride to the agency is ABC store employees' near-perfect record, 97%, on denying alcohol sales to underage buyers.

"We've come a long way from our early days of behind-the-counter liquor sales and chasing moonshiners," ABC Board Chair Pamela O'Berry Evans said. "Seventy-five years in, we are a modern, innovative agency accountable to the citizens of the commonwealth and beyond. We've been recognized for our progressive environmental programs and recently launched public safety and education initiatives including: Alcohol and Aging, Military Safe Ride Home, Community Advisory Council, Alcoholic Energy Drink Awareness, and much more. I encourage people to visit our Web site to learn more about ABC as we commemorate this milestone anniversary."

Details about ABC and the agency's initiatives are available at www.abc.virginia.gov.

Contact ABC Public Affairs for a 75th Anniversary retrospective, historical photos, timeline and fact sheet.