Columbus County voters will decide this fall if businesses outside of municipalities will be able to sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks for consumption on and off premises.
Supporters said alcohol sales in the county will be a financial benefit, while opponents cautioned against increased access to alcohol creating problems with addiction and impaired driving.
Bo Avel and John Priede, both of the Atlanta-based convenience store chain Racetrack, told the commissioners that they hope to moved into Columbus County to take advantage of the anticipated growth in population and development. They said company officials have spoken with numerous county residents who are in favor of rural sales. Pride also said that other development such as motels and restaurants would be more prone to come to Columbus if alcohol sales were available outside of municipalities.
Amanda Bambrick, an attorney with the Morning Start Law Firm of Raleigh, represents Racetrack. She told the commissioners that alcohol sales would be attractive to younger families moving to the area, and would provide a positive economic impact while creating jobs.
“There’s a lot of talk about smart growth,” she said. “I see it in Raleigh. They’re running out of room, and looking to counties like yours. Plus, serving the traveling public is good business. There are hotels and other businesses that will follow along if there are alcohol sales.”
Larry Fowler of Nakina, owner of Fowler’s Supermarket, said a lack of alcohol sales in rural areas is unfair to small businesses.
“All I am asking is that it be put on the ballot, for the people to decide,” he said. “Between the Dollar Generals and the other stores, the country store is fading away…this will give us another tool. It could give the smaller stores a chance to increase revenues.
“A lot of people don’t like the lottery, or tobacco, but we do what we have to keep our doors open,” he said.
Fowler noted that some people who drive to town or across the state line to buy alcohol begin drinking on the way home.
“Maybe this will encourage some of them to stay home, instead of driving around drinking.”
Ron England of Delco, owner of Cape Fear Xtreme, said he felt allowing alcohol sales in unincorporated areas would be an economic boost for the county.
“This is a legal, regulated product,” he said. “It’s not something new. It’s not right that some businesses can sell alcohol and others cannot”
Carl Brown of the Macedonia community in Evergreen said he is firmly opposed to more sales of alcohol anywhere.
“We have enough problems already without more alcohol sales,” he said. “I like to be able to take my family, my children and grandchildren, to a restaurant and not have to worry about people in there drinking.”
He said he is opposed to alcohol sales of any kind on Biblical grounds.
“There are 75 verses of scripture warning against drunkenness,” he said. “For every $25 the county makes off of alcohol, it will cost $75 to combat the effects.”
Cerro Gordo resident Tim Moore echoed Brown’s concerns.
“It makes the roads dangerous – no man is going to buy a single beer at a store and carry it home to put in the refrigerator,” Moore said. “He’s going to be drinking it on the way home. Illegal sales and illegal use will happen. You’re making it easier for those who break the law.”
Brown also quoted Ezekial 22:30.
“ ‘So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one’,” Brown said. “I am asking you to stand in the gap for the safety of our children.”
Commissioner Ricky Bullard initially made a motion to have the item removed from the agenda. Commissioner Giles “Buddy” Byrd seconded Bullard’s motion, which was voted down five to two. Commissioner Scott Floyd then made a motion to approve the full agenda, with a second by Chris Smith. That motion passed.
Bullard cautioned against expanding alcohol sales in the county, saying that he had a petition with “several hundred” names of voters who were against expanded alcohol sales. Bullard, who owns a store in Cerro Gordo, said that even if the referendum is approved in the fall, “We will not be selling it.
“I have never seen anything good come out of drinking,” he said. “I have seen it destroy a lot of good men and women.”
Byrd was concerned that the verbiage of the mixed drink sale portion of the resolution would allow alcohol to be sold in theaters. Board attorney Misty Jorgenson explained that the private club, hotel and community theatre segment of the referendum refers to playhouses and concert venues, not movie theatres.
Byrd also said that the sheriff’s office is “already overloaded,” and that state ABC laws require a certain level of law enforcement on duty.
Commissioner Barbara Featherson said she thinks rural sales might make the county more attractive to new residents.
“I like to think in terms of ten, twenty years from now,” she said. “With young people moving back, whether because they’re coming home or they find jobs here, some of them like a social setting where they can have a drink. I think this will make it more attractive to them.”
Bullard was the sole negative vote against the referendum, although Byrd said he reluctantly voted in favor of the measure.
“With heartburn, I vote yes,” he said.
Three actual measures will be on the referendum ballot:
Whether or not to permit “on-premises” and “off-premises” the sale of malt beverages (beer);
Whether or not to permit “on-premises” and “off-premises” the sale of unfortified wine; and
Whether or not to permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres, and convention centers and the “on premises” and “off premises” sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine in qualified establishments in Columbus County.
All three options will be voted on separately on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Currently, all municipalities in Columbus County have some form of alcohol sales. Additionally, rural sales of beer and wine are legal in Bladen and Brunswick counties.
Copyright 2026 Columbuscountynews.com. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright 2026 Columbuscountynews.com. All Rights Reserved.
