MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina is thinking of bending the liquor laws for the Democratic National Convention.
Bars and restaurants have to buy their hard liquor from ABC stores. Right now, ABC stores cannot be open on Labor Day, which is the day before the convention. So four Mecklenburg County representatives are sponsoring a bill so ABC stores could be open on that day, but just this year and just in Mecklenburg County.
Some businesses are glad they may have Labor Day to restock. Barry Leeson owns Belfast Mill in uptown Charlotte and said if he had to wait until the Tuesday to restock, he'd "pretty much [be] screwed."
But Valhala general manager Jennifer Kurilko does not know how much that Labor Day will really matter.
She plans to stock up plenty ahead of time and said, "I'm perplexed. In all honesty, I'm like the devil's advocate. I don't see it as that big of a problem because you can plan in advance."
Some are not convinced the state is really doing this for them at all.
"I just feel like it's just another way for the [state] to get more money," waitress Khemary Sok said.
The bill, House Bill 1121, has been sent to a committee.
It still needs the House, Senate and governor to sign off on it.