Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions

What does ABC mean?
• Alcoholic Beverage Control

Is the price of liquor the same at other ABC stores?
• Yes. The retail price of spirituous liquor sold in North Carolina ABC stores shall be uniform throughout the state. There are monthly discounts on selected items.

What forms of payment are accepted in Onslow County ABC Stores?
• We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard.

What forms of identification are accepted in Onslow County ABC Stores?
• In North Carolina, there are only four (4) accepted forms of identification that you can use to purchase alcoholic beverages. They are:
  • A drivers license with the photograph of the person making the purchase.
  • A U.S. Military Identification with a photograph of the person making the purchase.
  • An official State of North Carolina Identification card with a photograph of the person making the purchase.
  • An official passport issued by any nation with a photograph of the person making the purchase.

Can I return or exchange an item?
• No. Onslow County ABC Board policy states that items cannot be exchanged or refunded once the item has left the store.

How much liquor can I purchase?
• According to North Carolina General Statutes, a customer may purchase and transport a maximum of eight (8) liters of either fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or a combination of the two, without a purchase-transportation permit. However, a customer may purchase and transport a maximum of forty (40) liters of either fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or a combination of the two, with a purchase-transportation permit. There is no fee for the permit and it is issued by the ABC store at time of purchase.

Can spirituous liquor be sold in grocery stores and other food marts?
• In North Carolina, spirituous liquor may be sold only in local ABC stores operated by the local ABC Board.

Can’t find a particular item in your stores?
• If the item is listed in the North Carolina Price Book, then the General Manger will consider stocking the item. If it is not listed in the price book, it may be special ordered. A Spirituous Liquor Special Order is made when a customer visits one of our ABC stores and requests to purchase one or more cases of spirituous liquor. We then make a request to the North Carolina ABC Commission. The Commission will contact the vendor for the price so we can advise you of the cost.
A Spirituous Liquor Special Order must be prepaid by the customer to the local ABC Board, which places the order with the Commission. The Commission transmits the Special Order to the supplier who then ships the order to the State Warehouse in Raleigh for delivery to the local board and the customer.
To view the list of current items and prices in the Special Orders Database, view the Commission’s
Special Orders Price List.

How do I apply for a permit?
• You must submit a permit application to the North Carolina ABC Commission.
Click here for more information on the permit application process.

Are you a county or state employee?
• No. We are employees of the Onslow County ABC Board, a separate entity from the county or state.

What age must one be to work in establishments serving alcoholic beverages?
• An establishment holding mixed beverage, brown bagging or special occasion permits must have an employee who is at least 21 years of age in charge of the licensed premises at all times. Bartenders must be 21 years of age to mix drinks containing spirits. Waiters and waitresses in on-premise establishments who serve or sell alcoholic beverages must be 18 years of age. Minors 16 and 17 years of age may be employed if they do not prepare, sell, serve or deliver alcoholic beverages at on-premise establishments. Malt beverage, fortified and unfortified wine permittees shall have an employee who is 18 years of age in charge. Minors may work at off-premise establishments (beer and/or wine) in any capacity, subject to the rules set by the North Carolina Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

What is the time frame in which local ABC stores may operate?
• By law, ABC stores can be open between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and must be closed on Sundays. The local board shall otherwise determine opening and closing hours of its stores.

Where do the local ABC stores get their spirituous alcoholic beverages?
• All spirituous alcoholic beverages sold by local ABC stores are ordered from the State Warehouse in Raleigh.

How do I apply for a job at an ABC store?
• If you are interested in employment with the Onslow County ABC Board, you will need to contact our office.

Do ABC Store employees receive a discount?
• No. They pay the same price as any other customer.

How many ABC Boards are there in North Carolina?
• As of June 2008, there are currently 49 county and 107 municipal ABC boards that sell spirituous liquor at retail.

How many ABC Stores are there in North Carolina?
• There are approximately 400 stores in North Carolina

How many counties in North Carolina are dry?
• There are currently three (3) dry counties: Clay, Graham, and Yancey.

How many counties in North Carolina do not have ABC stores?
• There are currently five (5) counties with no ABC stores: Clay, Graham, Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey.