COOLEEMEE – Mixed drinks are good for the ABC store revenue stream.

Kris Howell, manager at the Cooleemee ABC, gave a report to commissioners Nov. 18.

Howell said there had been many changes since she became manager of the store in January, 2011.

In June 2007 the ABC store made $571,418 and donated $4,000 back to the town. The June 2013 revenue for the store was $762,672 and the town received $12,500 along with the Cooleemee Police Department receiving $2,000.

Howell said the store is budgeting to give the town $17,000 next year. “I feel like this increase is due to the customer service we have and sales of liquor by the drink.”

Howell said this year the store had generated $44,042 of its revenue from the sale of liquor by the drink and attributed the high sales to the fact the store makes liquor deliveries to area restaurants.

Howell said the store had obtained new accountants and auditors who do a thorough exam of all receipts and paperwork.

“In 2011 we remodeled the parking lot, we have a new register system which gives us a better handle on inventory and we also have plans to change the sign out front and incorporate brick that’s over 100 years old from out back into that new sign.”

Howell said that ABC board members now have to complete ethics training and budgeting workshops. “These board members do a whole lot more than just meet once a month. They are very important.”

Howell concluded by praising the store employees and the excellent work they have done.

Holiday Events

A list of Cooleemee holiday events were given:

• On Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. a holiday flag hanging will take place. Sixty flags will be hung along Center, Marginal and Main streets and Junction Road.

• On Dec. 4, kindergarten kids from the elementary school will visit the museum for a history lesson and exhibit on old toys and to decorate the tree with homemade ornaments.

• On Dec. 7, a Cooleemee Christmas will take place at the Zachary House at 5 p.m. including lighting of the Christmas tree, free hotdogs, fudge winner announcement, songs, hay rides, Christmas stories and a visit from Santa.

• On Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the Cooleemee Tour of Homes will take place as a fundraiser to reopen the Cooleemee pool and will include five churches, eight homes, and two museum tours.