Big liquor sellers looking for locations in Wash. state
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Big liquor retailers are looking for locations in Washington in the wake of the passage of Initiative 1183 that broke the state's monopoly on the sale of hard liquor.
Total Wine, an East Coast company calling itself a "wine superstore," has announced plans to open two stores in the Spokane area, The Spokesman-Review reported Friday.
The chain has 78 stores nationwide that sell liquor, wine and beer.
"We think Washington is a unique opportunity," said Phil Armstrong, the company's vice president of real estate. "It's not often you have an entire change from state-controlled stores to private sector (liquor sales)."
Total Wine is also planning to open locations in Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, Armstrong said.
Before the passage of I-1183, private businesses were only permitted to sell beer and wine.
Other chain stores have reportedly started targeting metro locations across the state.
Total Wine stores are usually 20,000 square feet or larger, hire about 30 workers, and stock their shelves with up to 8,000 wine choices, 3,000 choices for spirits and 2,000 varieties of beer.
The new stores cannot open until after June 1, when I-1183 takes effect, Armstrong said.
The initiative won by 18 percentage points in last November's election. A number of large retailers, led by Issaquah-based Costco, helped promote the plan to eliminate state control of liquor sales, which dates to the 1930s.
Area wine retailers say the arrival of a big wine seller will impact their sales.
"It's like a gorilla is moving into the neighborhood," said John Allen, co-owner of Spokane's Vino! A Wine Shop.
Allen said the goal is to stay focused on customer service and staff wine knowledge.
The wine selection at Total Wine is 15 to 20 times the choices Vino carries, Allen said. But smaller specialty shops like Vino can offer customers specific guidance on how to find quality choices, he said.
Jeff Postlewait, co-owner of Bottles, a beer and wine specialty shop in Millwood, said he sees a likely impact on sales but hopes customers see his shop as a friendly neighborhood dealer with a focus on customer service.
Total Wine, an East Coast company calling itself a "wine superstore," has announced plans to open two stores in the Spokane area, The Spokesman-Review reported Friday.
The chain has 78 stores nationwide that sell liquor, wine and beer.
"We think Washington is a unique opportunity," said Phil Armstrong, the company's vice president of real estate. "It's not often you have an entire change from state-controlled stores to private sector (liquor sales)."
Total Wine is also planning to open locations in Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, Armstrong said.
Before the passage of I-1183, private businesses were only permitted to sell beer and wine.
Other chain stores have reportedly started targeting metro locations across the state.
Total Wine stores are usually 20,000 square feet or larger, hire about 30 workers, and stock their shelves with up to 8,000 wine choices, 3,000 choices for spirits and 2,000 varieties of beer.
The new stores cannot open until after June 1, when I-1183 takes effect, Armstrong said.
The initiative won by 18 percentage points in last November's election. A number of large retailers, led by Issaquah-based Costco, helped promote the plan to eliminate state control of liquor sales, which dates to the 1930s.
Area wine retailers say the arrival of a big wine seller will impact their sales.
"It's like a gorilla is moving into the neighborhood," said John Allen, co-owner of Spokane's Vino! A Wine Shop.
Allen said the goal is to stay focused on customer service and staff wine knowledge.
The wine selection at Total Wine is 15 to 20 times the choices Vino carries, Allen said. But smaller specialty shops like Vino can offer customers specific guidance on how to find quality choices, he said.
Jeff Postlewait, co-owner of Bottles, a beer and wine specialty shop in Millwood, said he sees a likely impact on sales but hopes customers see his shop as a friendly neighborhood dealer with a focus on customer service.
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