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JACKSON – After purchasing the former Burger King property earlier this year, the Northampton Board of Commissioners are now putting the building in the hands of the county ABC Board.

They approved a lease agreement during their regular meeting on Monday, August 5.

County Attorney Scott McKellar explained that it is a standard lease agreement spanning one year, but can be renewed for additional one-year terms, and it can be terminated with 30 days notice.

The rent will be $1,500 per month, for a total of $18,000 per year.

“It’s a short-term lease that can be monitored by county staff,” he concluded.

As previously reported by the News Herald in January, the commissioners unanimously approved purchasing the 1.35-acre property, which is located between Garysburg and Gaston on Highway 46 by the Interstate 95 exit, for $370,000. During that meeting, they stated that Northampton’s ABC Board wanted to use the building.

Northampton ABC Board Chair Iris Williams told the commissioners during the January meeting that they were interested in the property for a number of reasons. The ABC store in Gaston, she said, brings in the highest revenues, but has also received complaints about its location and available parking. But a new store in this new location could potentially bring in more people because of its proximity to the interstate.

At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Board Chair Charles Tyner stated that the ABC Board will use their own funds to upgrade and renovate the building. He also pointed out that the lease agreement is flexible so that the commissioners can make adjustments to it after one year if they choose to.

He also noted, as he has in previous discussions, that the county’s ABC Board shares part of their revenue with Northampton County, but it’s usually a lower amount than what neighboring counties receive from their own ABC Boards. This project could potentially help boost revenues.

Currently, Northampton County has four ABC stores located in Gaston, Conway, Jackson, and Rich Square.

Commissioner Melvetta Broadnax Taylor motioned to approve the lease agreement, and Ed Martin seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor by those in attendance.

Commissioners Geneva Faulkner and Kelvin Edwards were unable to attend Monday’s meeting.