Gloucester’s newly relocated Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control store opened for business on Dec. 11 at Edgehill Town Center, Main Street.

The store, now in a new part of the center adjacent to Vashti’s Jewelers, moved from the long-standing store on Main Street which opened in 1954.

“We are excited to open the new store in time for the busy Christmas season,” said store manager Vicki Blake of Topping. The old location closed Nov. 29.

The new store carries a full line of popular brands of alcoholic beverages, as well as boxed sets and similar items that are targeted to the holidays. In all, the store stocks more than 800 items.

Blake said she became manager of the Gloucester store in early August and is happy to have the chance to manage a new store. She has worked for ABC for approximately 25 years, having served at several Middle Peninsula stores.

Joyce Bishop of Gloucester is assistant manager. Wade Hedges and Dakota Dolan, both of Gloucester, are lead sales associates. Sales associates are Sharon Wood, Sylvia Brown and Jerry Lemon, all of Gloucester.

Virginia ABC has been in operation for 80 years, ABC spokesperson Kathleen Shaw said, with 350 stores now operating throughout the state, including stores in Hayes and Mathews Court House.

In a separate announcement, Shaw said Paul Van Lenten Jr. has been hired as the department’s chief financial officer. He began his position at the state ABC office in Richmond on Dec. 10.

Van Lenten has 20 years of government experience, a release said. For the past 11 years, he has worked as the legislative fiscal analyst with the House Appropriations Committee. From 1999 to 2003, Van Lenten served as the policy and planning specialist for the state Department of Planning and Budget, a release said, and from 1994 to 199, he served in multiple positions with the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee.