Proposed House bill could cause liquor store locations to multiply

The locations where hard liquor is sold could soon multiply by the thousands. Right now it’s reserved for grocery and liquor stores. But a proposed loosening of liquor laws would increase the competition.

Some store owners say this could drive them out of business.

David Cho, owner of Proper & Ernest Beer, Wine & Spirits of Woodinville, prides himself on his customer service, his wide selection of local and international craft spirits.

But going into the high-end booze business hasn’t been cheap.

“I spent well over $1million buying the auction rights, renovating the stores,” said Cho. "And just recently I’ve been breaking even and, hopefully, I thought ‘this is it. We’ve turned the corner. And I made the right decision to come here from New York City.’ "

Indeed, 3,300 stores sell beer and wine in Washington state. Just 600 stores are licensed to sell spirits, too. Most of those stores have to be at least 10,000 square feet.

Under a bill sponsored by Tacoma House Democrat Steve Kirby, the size restrictions would disappear.

The state liquor and cannabis board estimates that could increase the number of liquor stores by 400%.

“It would be convenient for me,” said Lori Lewis of Woodinville. “I lived in Nevada and they do that there. Like, I saw 7-Eleven one day and they had vodka. And I was like what?”

But Jessica Stewart of Kirkland says some people might shop at a 7-Eleven “maybe out of convenience. But with these guys you got to taste. And you get phenomenal customer service.”

Lawmakers may be feeling the heat; Rep. Kirby said he was too busy to talk on camera. But he says big changes are being made to the legislation. And that whatever emerges, if anything does, will be different from the current bill.

So stay tuned.

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