What’s in Store

Mecklenburg County liquor stores change hours, citing labor shortages due to COVID

By Catherine Muccigrosso
As clerks inside ABC Store #5 filled their orders and took their payments customers lined up outside at 2915 Wilkinson Blvd. on March 20. Mecklenburg County ABC Commission, said starting April 7, 10 liquor stores will open one hour early for seniors 65 and older to shop. John H. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com
The coronavirus pandemic has led to liquor shortages at Charlotte-area ABC stores. Back in March 2020, customers waited in line outside at 2915 Wilkinson Blvd. as clerks filled orders at the store. John H. Simmons Observer file photo

Mecklenburg County liquor store hours will open later due to labor shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

All 29 stores will open at 12:30 p.m. instead of 10 a.m. Monday to Saturday and close at 9 p.m. “due to the impact of COVID-19 exposures resulting in labor shortages,” the county Alcoholic Beverage Control Board said in a news release.

The change is effective Monday “until further notice,” the ABC board said.

“The modified store hours enables the board to avoid store closures,” county ABC CEO Keva Walton said in the statement. “We will continue to monitor changing conditions closely and make necessary changes to safely and effectively manage stores to serve our customers.”

So far this fiscal year since July, alcohol sales are on pace to set record levels in the board’s 75-year history, according to the board. Holiday sales were up 16% and overall sales are up by 12% compared to the prior fiscal year, the board said.

Product prices across the North Carolina ABC systems have remained consistent during the two-year pandemic, the ABC board said.

Mecklenburg County ABC Board reported retail sales more than doubled last year compared to the year prior, even as supply chain issues caused liquor shortages.

Other businesses hit by labor problems

Other Charlotte businesses have modified hours, some temporarily closing, citing labor shortages as coronavirus cases soar related to the omicron variant.

On Wednesday, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 20,770 new cases, the highest number in a single day for first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

Brooks Sandwich Shop said Wednesday it will be closed for the rest of this week, saying the NoDa restaurant is “extremely short staffed this week,” CharlotteFive reported.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, Mecklenburg County jail and Mecklenburg EMS also are experiencing labor problems.

This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 6:06 PM.

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