Virginia ABC Stores to Open Doors at Noon on Sundays

Shopping for distilled spirits on Sundays just got a little bit easier, as 2016 legislation passed by the General Assembly will allow Virginia ABC stores statewide to open an hour earlier. Beginning this Sunday, July 3, nearly all Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) retail stores will be open on Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

The expanded Sunday store hours were approved as part of the commonwealth’s final budget bill, which allows any Virginia ABC retail location to open on Sundays at noon and also on New Year’s Day.

“The steady rise in Sunday sales shows customers across the state find it a convenient day to shop,” said ABC Chairman Jeffrey Painter. “We look forward to providing this enhanced customer service for our Sunday patrons,” he said.

Virginia ABC has grossed more than $300 million in Sunday sales since 2004, when the Virginia General Assembly first passed legislation allowing 95 stores to open in Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach and Norfolk on Sundays. Three more waves of legislation followed:

• In 2008, new legislation expanded Sunday sales to cities with populations of 100,000 or more, opening doors on Sundays for 36 additional  stores in the cities of Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake and Richmond.
• In 2012, legislation removed population restrictions and allowed Virginia ABC to open all stores on Sundays at the agency’s discretion from 1 to 6 p.m.
• Effective July 1, 2016, legislation will allow ABC to open all stores an hour earlier, at noon on Sundays.

In the last fiscal year alone, the agency has collected nearly $52 million in Sunday sales, a jump of more than $2 million over the previous year.  Since its founding, Virginia ABC has contributed more than $8.6 billion to the commonwealth to support state services, including substance abuse prevention and treatment. “We anticipate Sunday sales to continue to be a robust source of revenue for the commonwealth,” added Painter.

For customer convenience, a searchable list of Virginia ABC’s 359 stores—including brands and quantities of spirits available at each location—can be found on the agency’s website (www.abc.virginia.gov). Customers may also order spirits online for delivery to the store of their choice.

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The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, contributing more than $1.8 billion to the general fund in the last five years. The agency currently operates 359 state stores. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees more than 17,000 ABC licensed establishments while the Hearings and Appeals Division considers more than 700 cases each year. The agency also provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Now marking its 83rd year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its control, service and revenue mission.