ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010009
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
If the eggnog on the holiday grocery list looks a little lonely, how about a bottle of bourbon to go with it? That's an idea the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is about to try.
On Dec. 18, ABC will open an outlet in a supermarket in midtown Norfolk. If it succeeds, other supermarkets and possibly discount grocery stores also will get liquor stores.
``We're talking to a number of grocery stores across the commonwealth of Virginia,'' said Chairwoman Catherine Giordano.
The venture represents a significant change, since ABC stores traditionally have been stand-alone operations. But the state still will control liquor sales inside the grocery store with its own employees, cash registers and stock space.
The supermarket will continue to sell wine and beer.
ABC officials will be closely watching the public's reaction, said agency spokesman Robert Chapman. ``Since this is the first time the ABC has done this, we'll probably be learning a lot,'' he said.
- Associated Press
Mortgage rates drop slightly
WASHINGTON - Thirty-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 7.33 percent this week, down from 7.35 percent last week.
The rate was the lowest since the Feb. 24, 1994, average of 7.32 percent.
Fifteen-year mortgages, a popular option for those refinancing mortgages, averaged 6.85 percent this week, unchanged from a week earlier.
- Associated Press
Beach Mold picks Greensville
EMPORIA - An Indiana company that manufactures parts for computers, business machines and telecommunication devices will open a factory in Greensville Industrial Park.
Beach Mold & Tool Inc.'s $5 million plant will employ about 250 people and will serve the company's customers in the eastern United States.
Sites in North Carolina and South Carolina also were considered before the company decided to purchase a 60,600-square-foot shell building in Greensville.
Beach Mold & Tool was founded in 1972 by Bill and Juanita Beach. The family-owned business, based in Albany, Ind., has more than 1,000 employees.
- Associated Press
Best reports loss of $5.8 million
Best Products Co. Inc., Richmond-based retailer, reported a net loss of $5.8 million, equal to 18 cents per share, on sales of $325.9 million in its third quarter ended Oct. 28, compared with year-earlier loss of $745,000, equal to 2 cents per share, on sales of $332.8 million. For the nine months, Best reported a net loss of $21.0 million, equal to 66 cents per share, on sales of $910.5 million, compared with year-earlier net loss of $7.1 million, equal to 22 cents per share, on sales of $918.8 million.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB