Virginia ABC's Prohibition-era founding (1934)
Virginia created the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in 1934, after Prohibition ended. The agency was given control over liquor sales and the power to license restaurants and bars.
Restaurants across Virginia had to obtain ABC licenses before serving alcohol.
The licensing process has remained a constant gatekeeper for Virginia's hospitality industry for nearly a century.
El Pulgarcito's license is part of this nearly century-old regulatory system. The ABC license is a key checkpoint the restaurant must clear before opening.
