What kind of shop is ABC Liquors?

Following the repeal of national Prohibition in 1933, some states decided to continue their own prohibition against the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol beverages within their borders. Other states decided to leave the choice up to local jurisdictions (counties and/or cities), a practice called local option. Even today there are hundreds of dry counties across the country.

Among those states that did not choose to maintain complete prohibition, some chose to impose government monopolies over the sale of alcohol beverages within their borders. These states established state-owned (or sometimes county-owned) alcoholic beverage stores. They are commonly called ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) stores. Some sell only distilled spirits, whereas others sell wine and spirits as well. The other states chose to follow the traditional American practice of free enterprise regulated by laws.

There are currently 18 monopoly or control states in the U.S. The term "control state" is popular but misleading because all states control and regulate the sale of alcohol. Therefore every state is a control state but only 18 are monopoly states.

Florida is not a monopoly state and the ABC stores operating in that state are privately owned. Thus, they are ABC stores only in name.