BOYA(lcohol) - Suggestions, Advice, etc

caseystain · February 2012

Hi NC Knotties!

I found a caterer that allows us to bring our own alcohol (beer, wine, liquor). They are providing all the mixers, sodas, garnishes, ice, etc for a small price per person.

My questions for you guys are about getting a good deal on alcohol in NC, as well as NC laws/practices. I'm not very familiar with them.

First off, do places like Costco/BJ's/Sam's sell liquor in NC? Do you need a membership to purchase? Are there discounts on the liquor for buying in bulk? Does the state of NC offer any returns on any unopened bottles (this is applicable for wine and liquor). For wine, I know I can buy that from a lot more retailers than the ABC store - anyone had any luck returning unopened bottles to certain retailers?

Any advice you guys could provide would be awesome. Thanks so much!

pirategal03 · February 2012

You can only buy liquor from the ABC store in NC.

We got our champagne (you could get wine too) from Total Wine. They can give a discount based on the amount you buy. I think they'll do buybacks but I'm not really sure, we just kept our extras.

MyUserName1 · February 2012

Okay, in NC, you can only buy hard liquour from the ABC store. I can't advise additionally on that (bulk, returns, etc.)

Wine and beer are sold everywhere else. Trader Joes has a bulk discount and will take unopened returns. I believe Total Wine will as well

ETA: Stupid TK. Pirate's post wasn't showing before. *shakes fist*

pirategal03 · February 2012

It's okay, MUNI. TK has been censoring me all morning. I'm surprised things are showing up at all now.

RivieraBound · February 2012

One of the things I miss most about NY! You could buy liquor in cases and return unopened bottles. AND you could buy it on (gasp) Sundays and holidays!

I know a friend of mine got her wedding liquor on a marine base. She said it was cheaper but I don't know exactly what it cost. But you have to know someone to get you on base or to buy it for you.

I am facing the same problem as I can bring my own liquor and the venue provides beer and wine.

caseystain · February 2012

Stupid NC.. I'm used to Northern states - alcohol everywhere!

I figured that it was just gonna be going to the ABC store, but I was hopeful that some other possibility existed. Ah well.

Thanks guys

pirategal03 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_boyalcohol-suggestions-advice-etc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:f2a95725-136a-4137-8e39-dacb4567f162Post:20a56750-df89-4e1c-b19d-5f73fa2a3527">Re: BOYA(lcohol) - Suggestions, Advice, etc</a>:
[QUOTE]One of the things I miss most about NY! You could buy liquor in cases and return unopened bottles. <strong> AND you could buy it on (gasp) Sundays and holidays!</strong> I know a friend of mine got her wedding liquor on a marine base. She said it was cheaper but I don't know exactly what it cost. But you have to know someone to get you on base or to buy it for you. I am facing the same problem as I can bring my own liquor and the venue provides beer and wine.
Posted by RivieraBound[/QUOTE]

<div>Alright now, none of that. Those laws are county and municiple, not state. If you're going to talk shiit, at least get your facts straight. </div>

pirategal03 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_boyalcohol-suggestions-advice-etc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:115Discussion:f2a95725-136a-4137-8e39-dacb4567f162Post:4678e3dc-98fe-49b8-bcbb-13639b54c3cc">Re: BOYA(lcohol) - Suggestions, Advice, etc</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Stupid NC.. I'm used to Northern states - alcohol everywhere!</strong> I figured that it was just gonna be going to the ABC store, but I was hopeful that some other possibility existed. Ah well. Thanks guys :)
Posted by caseystain[/QUOTE]

<div>Oh, the irony. </div>

Beth0882 · February 2012

Actually, North Carolina ABC laws regarding buying on Sunday and various times are statewide, not county or municipal. The only thing NC counties/cities have control over is whether or not the counties/cities sell various types of alcohol at all (either at stores or restaurants) which is how you get dry counties and cities throughout NC. This may be different in other states, though. I recently read the NC ABC statutes and regulations for a nonprofit project we are working on and they are very interesting. ---and for what it's worth, I don't think the ABC store will buy back unopened bottles...

Each state has its own wierd rules, southern or not -- in Colorado, you could get liquor at privately owned liquor stores so there was price competition as opposed to buying through the state ABC stores like you do here, but you couldn't buy alcohol on Sunday at all (here at least you just have to wait until 1)!

pirategal03 · February 2012

Beth, I meant the laws prohibiting sales on Sunday are county or municiple. The state law doesn't prohibit sales on Sunday entirely, only limits the timing. Some cities and counties may restrict this further. (I know you know the law better than me, I just wanted to clarify what I was trying to say. I'm probably still not clear)

RivieraBound · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_north-carolina_boyalcohol-suggestions-advice-etc?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:115Discussion:f2a95725-136a-4137-8e39-dacb4567f162Post:cdc78bed-da2d-4ddc-a0de-059fa3d05ea3">Re: BOYA(lcohol) - Suggestions, Advice, etc</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: BOYA(lcohol) - Suggestions, Advice, etc : Alright now, none of that. Those laws are county and municiple, not state. If you're going to talk shiit, at least get your facts straight.
Posted by pirategal03[/QUOTE]

Read my post again. I was talking about liquor, not alcohol in general. Show me a county or municiple that has open ABC stores on Sundays so I can tuck it away for future reference.

If YOU'RE going to talk shiiiit, at least read my post correctly.

elldee333 · February 2012

I'm not sure where you are in NC, or if you'd be able to do this, but I'm in Charlotte near the SC border and when we need to stock up for a party or something we go to Frugal MacDoogal's. The prices are a little better there than an ABC store.

ETA: Typo...note to self, state line is definitely a "border", not a "boarder"

aaronpmartin · February 2012

Liquor is state controlled and prices are the same scross the state. No breaks for quantities. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a larger bottle, but not by much.
The tricky part in NC comes into play with where you will be serving the alcohol. If it is a private residence, no worries. If it is an establishment that already has a liqour license i.e. bar, club restaurant, hotel banquet room, most times you are grandfathered in under their permit. If it is a public building without a liquor permit, you will have to obtain one. Sometimes the caterer will take care of this, but make sure. Just Readup at NCABC.com