County of Cleveland issued the following announcement on May 2.
On the May 17 primary election ballot, Cleveland County voters will have an opportunity to choose whether to allow beer and wine sales in unincorporated areas of Cleveland County. Two referenda will be on the ballot: one on whether to permit “on premises” and “off-premises” sale of malt beverages, and one on whether to permit the “on-premises” and “off-premises” sale of unfortified wine.
Cleveland County municipalities have in the past let their voters choose whether to allow beer and wine sales within their respective municipal limits. Currently beer and wine sales have been approved by voters in Boiling Springs, Casar, Fallston, Grover, Kings Mountain, Kingstown, Lawndale, Patterson Springs, Polkville, Shelby, and Waco.
At the request of residents and business owners, the Board of Commissioners have decided to let voters choose whether or not to allow beer and wine sales in the unincorporated areas of Cleveland County.
"There is concern among business owners, primarily small business owners in unincorporated areas, about a perceived unfair market condition related to the ability to sell beer and wine," County Manager Brian Epley said.
“On premises” sales of beverages involves the sale for consumption at the location where the beverage is purchased. This includes places like breweries and wineries. “Off premises” sales are where beverages are purchased at one location, like a gas station or convenience store, to be purchased elsewhere. A single location could apply for both on-premises and off-premises permits, such as a brewery where beer can be both consumed on site and purchased to take home.
If voters do approve either or both referenda, the sale of such beverages would be allowed but still subject to permitting and regulation by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Original source can be found here.
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