State approves Princeton for new ABC store along U.S. 70
By John Joyce
Published in News on August 16, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/BOBBY WILLIAMS
The proposed site for a new ABC Package Store in Princeton is located at 9576 U.S. 70 E.
The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission in Raleigh voted unanimously Wednesday to approve two newly-proposed ABC Store locations, one in Nags Head and another in Princeton, just outside of Wayne County.
The Princeton property is located at 9576 U.S. 70 E., and signs announcing the coming business are already posted on site.
The proposal was put forward to the state board in July and an investigation was conducted by N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement.
The proposed site was found to be three miles from the nearest church and more than a mile from the nearest school, each far exceeding the minimum distance requirement of 50 feet.
No objections have been raised by the public, according to documents acquired from the board. Several "positive comments in regard to the location" have been received by the General Manager of the Johnston County ABC Board Swade Carroll, the report said.
But that was before the Notice of Intent to open an ABC Store was posted.
"I have not heard anything positive or negative or taken any calls since the sign went up," Carroll said.
He said that the proposed location is ideal, however, because of its proximity to the highway, and he expects the business to do especially well in the summer.
"It's on the east side of (highway) 70, it has the parking that we needed where people could pull in right off the highway with their boats, and be able to turn around and get right back out again, and cars can parallel park safely," he said.
Projected sales volume for the location is about $600,000 per year.
The property will be leased from The Hwy Investors, Inc.
"I have no idea on construction costs yet, and we are still negotiating on the leasing," Carroll said.
He hopes to have that part of it wrapped up at the next board meeting, Aug. 27.
Once the leasing is worked out and finalized, construction can begin.
Carroll doesn't expect that to take too long because it's not a free-standing structure but will be an add-on to a pre-existing Dollar General location.
He said the business could be up and running in as little as three months, but could take longer.
He does expect that the location will be a very good money-maker.
"The more money we make, the more money the county and municipalities are going to have," he said.