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THE
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE CREATED THE WEST VIRGINIA ALCOHOL BEVERAGE
CONTROL ADMINISTRATION IN 1935. THE ABCA WAS ORGANIZED TO GIVE
EFFECT
TO THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE EXPRESSED IN THE REPEAL OF THE STATE
PROHIBITION AMENDMENT, AND TO ASSURE THE GREATEST DEGREE OF PERSONAL
FREEDOM THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND GOOD MORALS
OF THE PEOPLE OF WEST VIRGINIA. DURING IT'S FIRST FIFTY-SIX YEARS
OF EXISTENCE, THE ABCA FUNCTIONED AS THE EXCLUSIVE WHOLESALER AND
RETAILER OF LIQUOR IN WEST VIRGINIA: NON FORTIFIED WINES WERE "PRIVATIZED" IN
1981.
DURING
FISCAL YEAR 1991, PUBLIC BIDS WERE HELD IN AUGUST 1990 JANUARY 1991
AND MAY 1991. THIS RESULTED IN THE SALE OF ALL 98 ZONES OFFERED
AND THE POSSIBILITY OF 214 PRIVATELY OWNED LIQUOR STORES BEING OPENED
IN WEST VIRGINIA. THE SALE OF STATE OWNED LIQUOR STORES AND THE
CONVERSION OF STATE OWNED LIQUOR INVENTORIES ENABLED THE ABCA TO
TRANSFER PROFITS OF $26,500,000 TO THE WEST VIRGINIA GENERAL REVENUE
FUND.
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