Privatized liquor sales open with mixed reviews in Issaquah

Published 4:44 pm Friday, June 1, 2012

Score a point for convenience, but dock one for prices.

At least that seemed to be the early consensus for shoppers in Issaquah on Friday, just hours after Washington state took its first step into the world of privatized liquor sales.

“I think it will take a while for competition and prices to level out, but I do like the convenience,” said Issaquah resident Patti Anderson as she glanced over the new 40-foot aisle at the Fred Meyer on Eastlake Sammamish Parkway.

With the elimination of state-run stores, prices might initially look appealing to consumers, but shoppers need to remember each item will face Washington’s 20.5 percent liquor sales tax and a $3.77 per-liter tax.

That means a 750-milliliter bottle of Captain Morgan rum at Fred Meyer will cost about $20.90 after taxes, compared to the previous cost of $19.95 at a liquor store.

Other items, however, end up less than they would have at a state-run store. For instance, a 750-milliliter bottle of Ketel One vodka priced at $19.59 would cost about $26.40 after taxes, approximately 50 cents less than before.

Sammamish resident Linda Hackett said she noticed that some items were cheaper and others were more expensive — something shoppers will likely keep a close eye on in the coming months. But like most, it is the convenience that she appreciates the most.

“I don’t buy a lot of hard alcohol, but it’s just like on the occasion you do, it’s 8:02 on a Saturday night and the liquor store is closed,” Hackett said. “It’s kind of nice to have an alternative when you want to run out and grab something.”

Others, like Konin Airth, say the state’s new liquor situation could prevent him from purchasing liquor in the future.

“It’s bad thing [the state] lost a lot of jobs, but that’s money they’re saving, plus the new taxes,” he said. “They’re kind of making money on both ends. To me, I don’t like it, it’s too expensive.”

Pete Laudadio, the store director at the Issaquah Fred Meyer, said his store’s new liquor aisle was constantly abuzz Friday — with many of the people using calculators.

“Obviously we have had lots of customers looking and making purchases this morning,” he said, pointing down a crowded aisle. “We’re very pleased with what we’ve seen so far.”

The Fred Meyer store had 450 different types of alcohol, ranging from premium to mainstream liquors. In order to prevent theft, each item is secured with a bottle lock and anti-theft devices that will trigger an alarm if not deactivated.

Only stores that are 10,000 square-feet and above, or former liquor stores that were sold to private bidders, can sell liquor. Currently there are approximately 1,640 retailers who have applied to sell liquor in Washington, up from roughly 350 state-owned or state-contracted liquor stores under the old system.

“It will be an interesting journey,” Anderson said.

The whiskey section at the Issaquah Fred Meyer.