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1. oddreality
   Member Profile

   Just wondering if I will be forced to go to Costco for my booze when the state liquor stores no longer exist.Not sure how many stores here are big enough to sell liquor. Can't quit wrap my mind around how large 10,000 sq feet is.
   I sure do not want to stand in those long Costco lines for a bottle of booze..LOL

   Posted 8 months ago #         

2. acemotel
   Member Profile

   

   Not saying anything about the legislation (I am not sure how I will vote) but many large grocery stores are 10,000 sq. ft. For example the new Safeway at Admiral is surely over 10,000. i.e. 100 ft x 100 ft.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

3. JayDee
   Member Profile

   I think the LCB stores are grandfathered in, but that is just a recollection. A PI story said that the tide was running against Costco on it...If it fails, that special session of the legislature will be interesting in a car wreck sort of way.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

4. redblack
   Member Profile

   

   10,000 square feet is 100' x 100'.

   i'm guessing that petco in the junction (where it currently does business) is a good approximation.

   and for comparison purposes, most residential lots in the city are 6,000 square feet.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

5. oddreality
   Member Profile

   I know it is 100 x 100 ft. I just can't tell by looking how many we have in W.Seattle. The TV ads still say that 7-11s will be able to sell but at 10,000 feet that statement would appear not to be true.
   I am not sure how I will vote on this either .BUT I really do not want to stand in a long line behind grocery shoppers to buy a bottle of liquor.I rather like it the way it is now.I stand in enough long lines as it is.So I do want to know how many places may be available to shop in W.Seattle...not that we really buy much except around the holidays.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

6. redblack
   Member Profile

   

   yep. it appears that the law limits sales to big stores.

   i'm voting no. i like it the way it is, too. i also think the state will do a better job at keeping liquor out of minors' hands than QFC and safeway.

   i haven't read the bill (and i only have a few more minutes here) but i'm guessing that if a qualifying store is open 24x7, then you could buy booze 24x7? or is there a restriction on hours of sale? the way it is now, drunks roaming around looking to buy booze late at night will just have to sleep it off. or settle for beer.

   then there's the fact that the state store employees are unionized. (AFSCME?) i'll pay a little more if it keeps them in benefits.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

7. 2 Much Whine
   Member Profile

   

   The TV ads just might lie. How many 10,000 square foot gas station/mini-marts are there? My guess is none. Some of you are missing the point. Waiting in long lines to buy liquor? When you buy your groceries you pick up a bottle of vodka to go with it. No more extra trips to another store to get your drink of choice, you just buy it when you are buying the stuff you normally buy. Less impact, not more. I've been to many states and countries where alcohol was sold in the grocery store, gas stations and ice cream parlors and it was no different than here except that it cost less and was far more convenient. Currently a store that is open 24X7 stops selling beer and wine at 2AM. They can do that for harder stuff as well. You won't have to go to Costco, it should be available at Rite-Aid, Safeway, QFC and other larger stores in town. Don't believe the scare tactics. 1183 benefits the consumer and takes the monopoly away from the priveleged few.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

8. villagegreen
   Member Profile

   

   2 Much Whine -- Exactly. In addition, the initiative will bring millions of much needed dollars to state and local governments. If you want the facts, go here: http://factson1183.com/ and click "Get the Facts." It's true that Costco sponsored the initiative, but it's not nearly as drastic as last elections option. 7-11's will NOT be selling liquor. All the negative tv ads are paid for by major liquor distributors, not local law enforcement or businesses.

   The state should not be in the business of selling and promoting liquor sales. This initiative is a responsible way of fixing our embarrassingly antiquated system. Don't fall prey to fearmongering!

   Posted 8 months ago #         

9. squareeyes
   Member Profile

   

   It would be great to see statistics on alcohol-related deaths, traffic deaths, underage drinking rates etc between state-run liquor store states and states with privatized liquor stores. I wonder if those statistics exist anywhere...
   From what I could find only 20 or 21 states have government involvement; the majority don't.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

10. JoB
    Member Profile

    squareeyes,

    there are stats for areas where liquor sales were controlled and then uncontrolled..but i am pretty sure the ones i looked at in the last election included buying anything you wanted anywhere you want.

    those stats were sobering.

    i have lived where you can buy alcohol of any kind at the local grocery... and i can't honestly say that i viewed it as a problem...

    but then.. i mostly wasn't up and about at closing time and if i was... i was at the local bar:)

    What concerns me is the amount of alcohol related violence we are currently seeing that is connected to kids shoplifting alcohol in our local stores.

    what i have seen is staff cut to bare minimums at my local grocer...
    and i don't think that bodes well for security.
    adding hard liquor to what is already a bad situation doesn't seem like a good deal to me
    unless it comes with some fairly substantial regulation concerning staffing levels and security.

    then it might be a win win for us all.

    personally, i am not so keen about becoming my own checker at the local grocers...
    especially when the machine locks up and requires a clerk's assistance because the item you purchased is not properly barcoded or not heavy enough to register on the sensors when bagged:(

    If this would put an end to that..
    i might go for it.

    Posted 8 months ago #         

11. oddreality
    Member Profile

    I am not "afraid"..LOL there is no fear of this. I just personally like it better the way it is. Way easier to control liquor sales as it is.

    Pretty sure I just decided how I will vote! YAY!!!

    Posted 8 months ago #         

12. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    In addition, the initiative will bring millions of much needed dollars to state and local governments.

    the new licensing fees for private sales and distributors will be passed directly to consumers through price markup.

    furthermore, the 10,000 square foot store provision ensures that only large and/or out-of-state retailers will be able to sell liquor.

    sorry. still not convinced.

    Posted 8 months ago #         

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