Cold warriors claimed socialism led to alcoholism. Now, Asheville is opening two ABC stores. One is new, and the other is an expansion. The new stores sport green building features, better lighting, wide aisles, and a new logo to attract more business. Alcohol stores in Weaverville and Woodfin are siphoning away business, and since the state prohibits ABC stores from adjusting the price or inventory of alcoholic beverages to respond to demand, the local ABC system has decided to capture market share through architectural design.
The Asheville ABC Board has plans to open two more stores; one is on hold due to the recession. CEO Curtis Canty observed people haven’t cut back on alcohol consumption, they are just buying cheaper stuff. The best news is that the state cares about you. It raised alcohol taxes, and troopers are cracking down on people who drink and drive.
