Costco joins push to privatize liquor sales
May 24, 2011
Issaquah-based Costco and a group of retailers and restaurants ordered another round May 20 in the push to privatize liquor sales and distribution in Washington.
The group filed a ballot initiative to allow a limited number of retail stores to sell liquor. If the initiative passes, eligible stores must have at least 10,000 square feet of fully enclosed retail space within a single structure or, in areas without larger stores, meet Washington State Liquor Control Board requirements.
In addition to Costco, the group includes the Northwest Grocery Association and the Washington Restaurant Association.
“This initiative will modernize the wholesale distribution and retail sales of liquor in a way that increases consumer choice and convenience, and increases state and local revenues, while continuing to protect public safety and strictly regulate the distribution and sale of liquor,” Northwest Grocery Association President Joe Gilliam said in a release.
“Under the initiative, an estimated 1,500 grocery and retail stores would be eligible to apply for a license to sell liquor. The initiative would prohibit liquor from being sold at gas stations and small convenience stores,” Gilliam said.
Costco led a push last year to privatize liquor sales through Initiative 1100, but 53 percent of voters rejected the measure. The company employs 2,700 people in Issaquah, more than any other business.
The initiative must go through the state process to establish a ballot title before petitions can be printed. Supporters expect signature gathering to begin in about a month. If supporters gather enough signatures, the measure could appear on the November ballot.
Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
Customers toast state-run liquor stores in survey
March 8, 2011
Customers offered a thumbs-up for state-run liquor stores, but suggested liquor store gift cards and online ordering as possible additions to the system.
The information comes from a Washington State Liquor Control Board survey commissioned after voters rejected ballot measures last fall to privatize the state-run liquor system.
Customers offered high marks for customer service, liquor store employee courtesy, product selection and store locations. The state released the survey results Feb. 8.
“We are pleased that our performance ranked high with customers,” board Chairwoman Sharon Foster said in a statement. “The results help validate the board’s work to modernize stores, improve the customer shopping experience and increase convenience with simple changes, like opening stores on Sundays and holidays.”
Gov. Chris Gregoire directed the liquor board to sponsor a survey to better understand customers’ attitudes about additional stores, updated store models, hours and more after a pair of liquor privatization initiatives — including Costco-backed Initiative 1100 — failed on the November ballot.
Most liquor stores remain open for Presidents Day
February 15, 2011
Evergreen State residents can raise a glass to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, because all state-run liquor stores remain open Feb. 21, the federal holiday to observe Presidents Day.
The stores open at 10 or 11 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m. Some contract liquor stores could be open Monday as well. Contact the stores for holiday operating schedules.
Find a complete list of state-run liquor stores at the Washington State Liquor Control Board website, www.liq.wa.gov.
The state operates a store in Issaquah in the Town & Country Square shopping center, 1175 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite B18.
Survey: Customers offer high marks for state-run liquor stores
February 9, 2011
NEW — 2 p.m. Feb. 9, 2011
Customers offered a thumbs-up for state-run liquor stores, but suggested liquor store gift cards and online ordering as possible additions to the system.
The information comes from a Washington State Liquor Control Board survey commissioned after voters rejected ballot measures last fall to privatize the state-run liquor system.
Customers offered high marks for customer service, liquor store employee courtesy, product selection and store locations. The state released the survey results Tuesday.
“We are pleased that our performance ranked high with customers,” board Chairwoman Sharon Foster said in a statement. “The results help validate the board’s work to modernize stores, improve the customer shopping experience and increase convenience with simple changes like opening stores on Sundays and holidays.”
Most liquor stores remain open for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 14, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 14, 2011
Evergreen State residents can raise a glass to Martin Luther King Jr., because all state-run liquor stores remain open Monday, the federal holiday to honor the civil rights leader.
The stores open at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and remain open until 7 p.m. Some contract liquor stores could be open Monday as well. Contact the stores for holiday operating schedules.
Turn to the Washington State Liquor Control Board for a complete list of state-run liquor stores. The state operates a store in Issaquah near the Town & Country Square shopping center, 1175 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite B18.
State liquor stores remain open for revelers to toast 2011
December 31, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 31, 2010
New Year’s Eve revelers can toast the arrival of 2011, because all state-run liquor stores remain open Friday.
The stores open at 10 a.m. and remain open until 9 p.m. But all state-run liquor stores close Saturday for New Year’s Day.
Turn to the Washington State Liquor Control Board for a complete list of state-run liquor stores. The state operates a store in Issaquah near the Town & Country Square shopping center, 1175 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite B18.
Some contract liquor stores could be open Friday and Saturday. Contact the stores for holiday operating schedules.
State liquor stores close for Thanksgiving
November 23, 2010
Forget about a last-minute run to buy a tipple to serve alongside the turkey.
All state-run liquor stores close on Thanksgiving, Nov. 25. The stores reopen for regular hours Nov. 26.
Some contract liquor stores may open on Thanksgiving. Contact the stores for holiday schedules.
Find a complete list of store schedules and phone numbers on the Washington State Liquor Control Board website.
Health Roundup
November 16, 2010
State bans Four Loko and other caffeinated alcoholic drinks
The state has banned “blackout in a can” caffeinated alcohol drinks.
Washington State Liquor Control Board members OK’d the emergency ban Nov. 10, after nine underage Central Washington University students had to be hospitalized after consuming the alcoholic energy drink Four Loko.
The statewide ban takes effect Nov. 17 and remains in effect for 120 days as the state formulates a permanent ban. Read more
Most liquor stores to remain open for Veterans Day
November 10, 2010
NEW — 1 p.m. Nov. 10, 2010
On Veterans Day, raise a glass to service members past and present: state-run liquor stores remain open on the holiday, Thursday.
The state stores open at normal times at 10 or 11 a.m., and close at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. Customers should check with the local stores for hours. Find the complete list of stores here.
Contract liquor stores might also remain open on the holiday. Contact the stores directly for holiday operating schedules.
Find more store schedules, phone numbers and information from the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
State bans Four Loko and other alcoholic energy drinks
November 10, 2010
NEW — 12:55 p.m. Nov. 10, 2010
The state has banned “blackout in a can” caffeinated alcohol drinks.
Washington State Liquor Control Board members OK’d the emergency ban Wednesday, after nine underage Central Washington University students had to be hospitalized after consuming the alcoholic energy drink Four Loko.
The statewide ban takes effect Nov. 17 and remains in effect for 120 days as the state formulates a permanent ban.
State Attorney General Rob McKenna commended the Liquor Control Board for the decision.
