Board seeks manager; reopen date unknown

The Tryon ABC store got new life recently when it was approved for a $30,000 loan in order to reopen the store.

Tryon Town Council met March 19 where commissioner George Baker announced the store obtained a loan. Baker also said the loan does not require the town to be obligated for anything, despite previous statements that the town would have to co-sign a loan.

Tryon ABC store chair Richard Rardin said the board was approved for a loan and interviews are currently being done for a manager to run the store.

“Our intention is to open as soon as possible, with no fixed open date until we find the right person for the position,” said Rardin.
Baker said during Tryon’s meeting that the board is hoping to reopen in April, but it will depend on the hiring of a manager.

During council’s February meeting, ABC board members said the store would need a $25,000 loan to reopen with council approving the store receiving an up to $30,000 loan.

The store has been closed since September 2012 and the possibility of reopening seemed bleak until last month.

The store was closed pending the state and the town conducting an inventory and audit. The inventory concluded that there was approximately $3,000 worth of liquor missing from the store.

The state initially recommended that the store either merge with Columbus, which wasn’t interested or close due to lack of revenue.

The ABC board began working on plans to reopen while selling stock in order to pay bills. ABC board member Dennis Durham created a plan and presented figures to council during its February meeting.

In the meantime, the store’s landlord has lowered the rent from $1,200 per month to $1,000 per month and the board plans to make changes in operation in order to at least break even in the future.

Plans as of last month were to reduce the hours of operation, opening at noon instead of 10 a.m. and stay open as normal until 8 p.m.

The store also plans to only sell spirits, not wine and mixers. Durham told council last month that the store will only sell items people can’t get anywhere else except in South Carolina so the store doesn’t compete with local businesses who sell other items such as wine.

Tryon’s ABC store is located at 354 S. Trade Street in the shopping center between Dollar General and IGA.