After receiving more than 80 responses on whether or not the Town of Tryon should purchase the ABC store building, Tryon Town Council may decide to back away from the deal.

Tryon Mayor Jim Wright and commissioner Happy McLeod both sent emails to area residents asking the question of whether the town should purchase the building. The town has been offered the purchase for $250,000 and has moved forward with obtaining an inspection and appraisal on the building, located on South Trade Street between the Dollar General and IGA.

“As you may have seen in the Tryon Daily Bulletin, at our budget meeting last Saturday and at the regular council meeting held the previous Thursday, the town council has been asked to consider purchasing the building that currently houses the ABC Store located between the IGA and Sunnydale,” stated Wright’s email to more than 200 area residents. “The council asked for an appraisal of the building and an inspection to determine the building’s conditions.”

Wright said he received 40 responses and while most residents on his email list are Tryon residents, some live outside city limits. Of Wright’s responses, 22 were against the purchase, six were for the purchase and 12 Wright said he classified as “other.”

McLeod sent the question to more than 100 on her email list. Her responses totaled 41, with five for the purchase, 34 against and two unsure.

The building where the town’s ABC store and Nana’s Kitchen is currently for sale. The ABC board recently approached the town after discovering it cannot own a building and collect rent. The building has three spaces, with one unoccupied. State law includes that an ABC store can only generate revenue from the sale of liquor. The ABC store currently pays $1,000 per month in rent with the owner of the building offering owner financing with no down payment at a four-percent interest rate. A 30-year mortgage is estimated at $1,100 per month. The purchase of the building would remove the building from the town’s tax rolls, estimated at $1,500 per year.

During recent meetings, some commissioners have said it’s a no-brainer because with only Nana’s Kitchen’s and the ABC store’s $1,000 each rent the town could make the mortgage with a profit. With all three buildings rented, the town could generate $3,000 per month minus the mortgage.

McLeod and commissioner Roy Miller have expressed hesitancy in the town getting into the real estate business. Commissioners Bill Ingham and George Baker have said the town is already in the real estate business and should consider purchasing the building.

While the respondents in favor said the purchase would be a good investment for the town, calling the purchase a no-brainer and a win-win situation, respondents against the purchase overwhelmingly said the town should not be in the real estate business.

“I don’t feel the town needs to purchase the building for a number of reasons – loss of tax revenue, competition with tax paying business owners relative to high rate of existing empty storefronts,” said Wright’s responses.

“Let the private market work, keep the property contributing to the local tax rolls and keep the government focused on providing essential services,” said another against.

Others said they do not feel the town should acquire a debt, particularly for that building.

“We do not feel that it is in the best interests of the town to assume a mortgage debt of $250,000 regardless of no money down, to acquire that particular property,” stated another of Wright’s responses.

McLeod’s responses were similar in that residents said the town shouldn’t be in the real estate business.

“Tryon does not need another issue to deal with at this time even though it is a viable financial deal,” said one of McLeod’s respondents. “Solve your other issues first, i.e., the water situation; the house on East Howard; how to increase the tax base; etc. Should the deal be there after you resolve your other issues I say go for it.”

Another said even the town paying for an inspection is a waste of money.

“I think paying for an inspection is a waste of money …… Who is the owner? And as you are aware, tenants leave and there are always out of pocket costs involved, utilities to be maintained regardless of occupancy, insurance, etc. Plus the fact that there are also two completely vacant buildings, one a triplex as well, across the street, attests to the oversupply of commercial rental property at this time,” said McLeod’s responses.

Responses for the purchase included it would be a good investment, respondents couldn’t see any way the town would lose, it’s a no-brainer, to purchase the building and put the profits in the general fund and the proposal is a win-win situation.

Tryon Town Council met March 17 but did not discuss the ABC store proposal.