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Former Va. ABC employee sues authority, claiming retaliatory termination
A former Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority employee has filed a federal lawsuit against the state authority, alleging his termination last year was in retaliation for reporting alleged harassment and discrimination due to his sexual orientation. Paul Watson, a former ABC senior business analyst who identifies as gay, claims in the lawsuit he was “targeted” […]
‘Shark Tank’ casting call is coming to Va.
Virginia entrepreneurs, “the sharks” are coming for you. The casting team of ABC’s “Shark Tank” will hold its first-ever casting call in Virginia at Rivers Casino Portsmouth on April 12. The show is getting ready to film its 16th season with venture capitalists Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin […]
Travis Hill to step down as Va. ABC’s CEO
Travis Hill, CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, announced Thursday he plans to step down from his post at the ABC, where he’s worked since 2014. Hired nine years ago as the Virginia ABC’s chief operating officer, Hill became CEO in 2018 after managing the former state department’s transition to a semi-independent authority […]
Virginia ABC: Vodka is Va.’s best-selling spirit
Tito’s Handmade Vodka notched its sixth year as the commonwealth’s most popular liquor at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stores in fiscal 2023. According to VABC, the Austin, Texas-based craft vodka accounted for $72 million in sales in fiscal 2023, up $5.1 million over the prior year. Tito’s out-guzzled other spirits by a long shot; […]
ABC reports almost $1.5B in FY23 revenue
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority reported $1.47 billion in gross revenues for fiscal year 2023, up $54.3 million over the prior fiscal year, on Wednesday. The reported revenue is a record for the authority. This is the fifth year that ABC has brought in revenues above $1 billion. As a division of the state […]
Virginia ABC to hold Secretariat bourbon lottery
Bourbon fans should gallop to enter the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s online lottery later this month for 187 autographed bottles of Secretariat Reserve Straight Bourbon, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the thoroughbred’s 1973 Triple Crown sweep. The bourbon comes from Charlottesville-based Ragged Branch Distillery and includes grain grown at Meadow Event Park in Caroline[...]
March 2023 Top Five
The top five most-read daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13 included Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s controversial decision to prevent a Ford electric battery factory from coming to Southern Virginia over worries about the project’s ties to China. The plant instead will be locating in Michigan, about 100 miles west of […]
Virginia ABC announces next Pappy lotteries
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is again seeking to slake customers’ thirst for Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys by holding online lotteries for several varieties in February and March. Virginia ABC customers can enter online for the chance to purchase several varieties of the prized whiskeys, including one bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve […]
ABC license spikes biz in Norton
Participants in Southwest Virginia’s fourth High Knob Outdoor Fest rode mountain bikes, hiked nature trails and floated down the Clinch River, but many also sipped beer and wine in Norton’s new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The DORA designation from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority lets adult customers buy drinks from ABC-licensed establishments within […]
Va. ABC hires chief digital and branding officer
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has named Vida Williams as its first chief digital and branding officer, the authority announced Thursday. Williams will guide the state ABC’s digital and web operations, communications and education with prevention teams, and support e-commerce initiatives. She started at the end of July. “Virginia ABC is committed to its […]
Virginia ABC announces next Pappy lottery
Want a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon whiskey without paying hundreds, even thousands of dollars? The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will serve up a shot at the popular whiskeys in an online lottery later this month. Virginia ABC customers will have the opportunity to enter online to win a chance to purchase five […]
Virginia ABC stores to change to noon opening
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will change its daily opening hours to noon at its 395 stores starting Monday. Staffing stores has become difficult as “increasing numbers of ABC’s retail employees continue to be affected by COVID-19,” the authority said in a news release. Store closing times will remain the same. “Like other retailers […]
