By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

SURRY — A liquor store may be coming to the town of Surry.

The Virginia Department of Alcohol Beverage Control is eyeing a store to be located in the former Surry Hardware building at the intersection of Routes 31 and 10.

The agency is currently seeking comment on the possible store location, according to ABC spokesperson Becky Gettings. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

When a new location is being considered, a sign is posted on the store front for a minimum of two weeks. The agency welcomes comments on the location until the lease is signed, Gettings said.

So far, the decision has not been made, she added.

A new store location is triggered by demographics, traffic patterns and population densities, as well as distance to an existing store, among other factors, according to the ABC website.

Currently, Surry residents have to travel to Smithfield, Waverly, Williamsburg or beyond to find an ABC store.

“We have been aware of a void in service in the Surry area for quite some time and residents have been requesting a store,” said ABC spokesperson Meghan McMahon.

“Virginia ABC was hoping to open a store alongside a grocery store, but that opportunity has not yet arisen,” she said.

“When this retail space became available, Virginia ABC was approached and we are proceeding with site analysis and stakeholder feedback,” she said, adding that once the process is complete, a package will be submitted to the ABC Board for consideration.

Surry Hardware closed earlier this year after 65 years of business.

To comment on a Surry ABC store location, email sites@abc.virginia.gov  {/mprestriction}