Two new liquor stores open; Additions won't change local revenues

The number of liquor stores operating in the Spokane area is back to an all-time high as the Washington State Liquor Control Board aims to meet statewide customer demand.

Within the past month, two new state-run stores opened in Spokane. Three more stores are scheduled to open in the state, and 13 others are being relocated.

Now, local residents can choose between 21 establishments. The area hasn't seen that many stores since the mid-1980s, said Craig Fairhurst, district manager for the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

"This is a result of the growth of the state of Washington," he said. "This isn't being driven by consumption per individual."

The new stores, located at 1601 N. Division St. and 2401 W. Wellesley Ave., will celebrate their grand openings Thursday.

Members of the state liquor board will attend the events, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Division store and 1:30 p.m. at the Wellesley location, and city officials have been invited. Mayor Jim West will not attend the event and it's unknown whether City Council members will be present, city staff said.

The addition of the two stores should raise liquor revenues, but that won't translate into local compensation.

Fairhurst said state-run liquor stores operate under the assumption that each will reach annual sales of $1.8 million.

Fairhurst said it will take about a year before each of the new stores starts hitting expected marks.

Despite this, the city of Spokane and Spokane County won't see an increase in liquor-related funds.

The amount of money given by the liquor control board derives from population, not from the receipts of area stores, liquor control board spokeswoman Tricia Currier said.

For the 2003 fiscal year, the city of Spokane received more than $1.8 million through the sale, taxation and licensing of beer, wine and hard alcohol; Spokane County received more than $700,000.

A Tuesday afternoon visit to the Logan Square store on Division may not be a good indication as to how the location will do. Manager Bud Birch said not a lot of people had found the store, which opened May 28.

"It's going OK," he said. " ... It's better than I expected. I think this is going to be a good location for us."

The placement attracted Jinny Lunzer, who stopped by the store after leaving work.

"It's on my way instead of having to go way up north," said Lunzer, 49.

Lunzer added that the convenience of alcohol doesn't mean consumption will increase.

"It's a store," she said. "You have the choice to go in if you want. They don't advertise."

Tuesday marked the first day 40-year-old Loyd Bibbee entered the store, and it's possible he won't forget it.

Bibbee purchased a bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila - the last time he did so was 20 years ago, an experience that led to him ending up in a Coeur d'Alene jail on a drunken driving charge.

On Tuesday, Bibbee rode his red mountain bike to the new location, which is nearest to his home by the Arena.

"We've all been cheering it in the neighborhood," he said. "'Woo hoo!' There's a liquor store coming to town."

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