North Carolina is about to change how local liquor stores must operate and how their leaders are expected to behave.

Gov. Beverly Perdue planned to sign into law on Wednesday a bill approved in the final days of the General Assembly session to reform the state Alcoholic Beverage Control system and ABC package stores run by largely independent boards in towns and cities.

Perdue had sought changes to the ABC system. Momentum grew following news reports on the high salaries of local board administrators in New Hanover County and meals paid for by liquor companies to local ABC leaders.

Liquor stores will have to meet performance standards or ultimately face closure. Local ABC board members are barred from accepting gifts from contractors doing business with their panel or stores.

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