Liquor for Sale - Who's Buying?

Liquor is going to be easier to get in Tacoma. Or at least more businesses will be allowed to sell it, as the state steps aside from the business of running liquor stores. State-run stores are up for auction, and other stores, of 10,000 square feet or larger, can apply for permits to sell the hard stuff.

Yesterday one more objection to the changes was rejected. A Cowlitz County judge ruled I-1183 constitutional, despite claims by opponents that the measure improperly included two separate issues – the question of liquor sales privatization and the provision setting money aside to go towards public safety programs.

It’s not the last obstacle to implementation of I-1183’s changes, but the process is moving forward while those are being sorted out. The Tacoma Weekly last week reported on applications received by the Washington State Liquor Control Board since the passing of the initiative.

There could be four to five times as many retail establishments selling liquor in Tacoma in the near future, the result of Initiative 1183 that was passed by voters last fall. The private sector will take over liquor sales from the state as of June 1. There currently are seven state liquor stores inside the city limits, plus a contract store in Ruston.

Most chain grocery stores in the state have applied for the license, including Fred Meyer, Safeway, and more. And local governments don’t have the option of contesting the location of liquor-selling businesses. This could come into conflict with the objectives of local alcohol impact areas, as well as with the wishes of some neighborhoods. Or maybe it doesn’t make much of a difference.

Are you excited to be able to pick up your cocktail supplies in more places? Are you concerned about the effects of other people being able to do so? Or does this seem like a non-issue?

Read the full story on applications for new liquor licenses from the Tacoma Weekly.

Read more on the Cowlitz County decision from The News Tribune