North Carolina is one of 19 control states and a member of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association. As an agency under the Department of Commerce, it is our overall objective to provide uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state. ABC stores are the only establishments in the state allowed to sell liquor by the bottle. No personal checks are accepted, and only those age 21 and older are allowed in the stores.