Mocksville and Cooleemee will join to form a single ABC system.

The two towns had been going back and forth for a few months on details of an agreement, but both have approved the latest version.

It means that Mocksville will have an ABC Store, possibly by the end of the year.

Negotiations would most likely put the store on the northern side of Mocksville. After Mocksville appoints its ABC Board members, they will join the Cooleemee members to form a single board that would decide the exact location.

Mocksville had considered going on its own for an ABC Store, but were told by a state official earlier this month that process would take longer and be time-consuming and expensive. Once the ABC Board is established, town board members would not be involved.

The ABC Board is responsible for getting loans and other necessities for opening the new store, and the town is not liable for any debt that is incurred. The town also can’t loan the ABC Board money, said Laurie Lee, director of the local ABC board and audit division of the state alcoholic beverage commission.

She said the commission is involved in most aspects of opening a new store, because like the local governments, they want it to succeed.

At the town’s April meeting, Mayor Will Marklin asked board members to bring back names of potential ABC Board appointments.