N.C. ABC stores can now be open on Labor Day. Will any Triad stores be open Monday? (2024)

Labor Day will come and go with most Triad ABC stores closed even though a state law that went into effect in July allows for them to open on the holiday for the first time.

Officials with the Triad Municipal (which runs Forsyth County stores), High Point, Greensboro, Lexington and Walnut Cove ABC boards said Thursday their stores will be closed on Labor Day.

The law still prohibits them opening on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

An early version of Senate Bill 527 also would have permitted limited Sunday hours, but that language was removed before floor votes were held in the House and Senate.

Nancy Hoffmann, a Greensboro City Council member who serves on the Greensboro ABC board, said the board plans to be open on a test run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fourth of July and Labor Day in 2025.

Hoffmann said the Greensboro ABC Board has had several discussions about being open on those three holidays since the passage of SB527.

“We’re going to evaluate sales on those holidays and see what demand there is,” Hoffmann said. “We will promote the holiday hours on our website and signage at the stores as the holidays near.”

Hoffmann said most customers are accustomed to making their alcoholic beverage purchases ahead of a holiday.

Gregory Bradsher, administrator of the Triad Municipal ABC Board that oversees 14 stores, said the board chose to remain closed Labor Day in part because officials don’t know if there’s going to be enough traffic to warrant the expense of staffing stores.

Bradsher said hours and days of operation are based on feedback from customers to the board and to elected officials in the community of each store.

“We knew about the pending changes to the law, but our board has decided to keep things the way they are currently,” Bradsher said. “No elected officials have asked for Labor Day hours so far.”

Bradsher said he doesn’t have a feeling on whether there will a groundswell of support for New Year’s Day or Fourth of July store hours.

“If we were to choose to open a store on one of those holidays, we would have to identify which store and make personnel adjustments,” he said.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines said he has “not received any statements of interest” about Labor Day store hours.

Curtis Swisher, Kernersville’s town manager, said he has not heard from any residents about the Kernersville ABC store being open on Labor Day. “I’m not sure if the aldermen have or not,” he said.

Rosalind Stewart, general manager for the High Point ABC Board, said the board has not voted on its 2025 schedule.

Bill Sigmon, general manager of Lexington ABC Board, said there are no plans “to update our holiday schedule. It’s being discussed as a possible option in the future.”

SB527 also makes it legal for restaurants to offer co*cktails for carry-out and delivery. co*cktails-to-go started during the pandemic, when patrons couldn’t dine in restaurants,

In order to offer co*cktails to go, businesses must hold permits from the state ABC Commission.

Establishments allowed to sell takeout and delivery alcoholic beverages include restaurants, eating establishments, hotels, private clubs, bars, breweries, wineries and wine producers.

Under the law, wine and mixed beverage drinks sold for consumption off site must be sold with food and be packaged in a container with a secure lid or cap and in a manner designed to prevent consumption without removal of the lid or cap.

Customers are allowed to take home drinks they began consuming inside the establishment if the alcohol is placed in a sealed container. State law does not permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages while driving.

SB527 also: expands where restaurants are allowed to purchase liquor; allows stores to exclusively sell just beer, rather than having to carry wine and operate under a wine store permit; and creates a license for mobile bar services.

The final version of SB527 removed language allowing restaurants and bars offer and advertise “happy hour” drink specials.