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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” […]
Virginians go for Texan vodka
Virginia is for lovers of vodka distilled from corn in Austin, Texas, apparently. For the seventh straight year, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is Virginia’s most popular spirit at Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) stores, according to a Friday announcement. The spirit generated $75 million in sales at Virginia ABC stores in fiscal year 2024. That’s […]
Virginia ABC board vice chair named CEO
Former beverage industry executive Dale Farino has been appointed the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s next CEO, effective April 29, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday. Farino served as vice chair of the ABC Board of Directors, and upon his resignation from the board, his seat will be filled by L. Mark Stepanian, former owner and […]
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[...]
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 […]
‘Drink up!’ Danville says
Justin Ferrell is toasting Danville’s new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, which allows visitors to sip alcoholic beverages while strolling through part of the city’s River District. “It’s going to be unique for all businesses downtown because tourism is happening in Danville and people are excited about moving into the downtown community,” says Ferrell, a partner […]
Va. ABC telework plan diverges from Youngkin mandate
Employees at the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Authority’s Mechanicsville headquarters will be returning to in-person work three days a week, not the four or five days a week that will be required of many state workers beginning July 5, following Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s telework order earlier this month. Virginia ABC CEO Travis Hill sent an […]
