RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Unlike most businesses that were forced to close due to COVID-19, liquor stores will stay open during the state’s stay-at-home order.
“I think if everyone’s being asked to stay indoors all day, you need something to assist with that,” said Kenton Assadi, who stocked up at a Raleigh ABC Store on Saturday.
Under Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order, liquor stores are listed as an essential business.
“I’m not sure they’re necessarily essential, but I do appreciate them being open during a time like this,” said Sarah Jones, who picked up supplies for margaritas.
Renald Mitchell said, “I don’t sleep very well, I kind of have insomnia. It’s not that bad, but if I want to sleep well, I sip a little tea and bourbon and I sleep good.”
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Others believe liquor stores should be off-limits and say it’s hypocritical considering bars and clubs had to close.
Roy Rawlings tells CBS17 he thinks it’s risky to keep liquor stores open at a time when so many people are out of work.
He explained, “It’s not okay, it’s not okay at all because you know broke people are gonna come here and spend their money in a crisis, not thinking about what’s going on and not thinking about that they have to pay rent next month and not knowing if their jobs are gonna be open.”
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